NYCfitfam’s Carrot Zucchini Bars with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

We love sweets, but always make sure that our indulgences are packed with wholesome ingredients. We love these Carrot & Zucchini Bars because they provide a great way to sneak in your veggies while still indulging a little!

INGREDIENTS - BARS:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup egg whites
• 1 ½ cups shredded carrot
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded (1 cup)
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup cooking oil
• ¼ cup agave
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup dark chocolate semi-sweet chocolate chips

INGREDIENTS – CITRUS CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 1 eight-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• ½ Cup Powdered Sugar (or if you’re trying to cut calories, grind Splenda & cornstarch in a blender instead)
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• Frosting Prep: In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar (or substitute) with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add orange peel.

PREPERATION:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger, and baking soda.
• In another large bowl stir together egg whites, carrot, zucchini, brown sugar, raisins, walnuts, apple sauce, agave, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
• Add carrot mixture to flour mixture, stirring until combined.
• Spread batter into an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Bake about 25 minutes and allow to cool completely
• Frost with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting. Cut into bars.
• Makes 36 bars.