Sweet Success: These yummy bars take the cake and keep you slim.

Carrot-Cake Bars:
Recipe from Eat Right - Lighten Up, Fitness Magazine (June 2011)
I used a different pan than suggested because I didn't have a 15x10inch baking pan. I used a 9x13inch to make my Carrot-Cake Bars and they turned out just as delicious! It only took approximately 20 minutes total to bake mine, inserted a toothpick and it came out smoothly. However, as delicious as these bars are, they are by far the most frustrating thing I have baked so far -- I hated shredding the carrots -- my grater might not be as sharp, would be easier if I had a food processor. Some of the carrots, I grated, until I lost patience, I then finely chopped the rest. 


Makes: 36 Bars
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Non stick cooking spray
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup slightly beaten egg whites (7-8 eggs)
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup cooking oil
3 cups finely shredded carrot
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat a 15-by-10inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together egg whites, applesauce and oil. Stir into flour mixture. Stir in shredded carrot.
4. Spread batter in the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
5. In a medium bowl, beat together sifted powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth.
6. Spread frosting over the carrot cake; slice into 36 bars.

Nutrition facts per bar: 125 calories, 2 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat (1 g saturated), 0 g fiber

Saucy Secret: Applesauce is used in place of half the oil to slash fat. 

Grate idea: Three cups of shredded carrots supply fiber and beta-carotene.

Fat Fake-out: Omitting butter from the cream-cheese frosting reduced calories and fat. 

Raise the Bar: Spice up these treats by adding a flavorful ingredient or two

Sprinkle half a cup of chocolate chips on the frosted bars.

Stir half a cup of chopped walnuts into the icing.

Mix a cup of diced pineapple into the batter.