May 26, 2015
Healthy Carrot Cake Energy Bites — perfect for when you’re craving a slice of carrot cake but want something easy and on-the-go!
These bite-sized no bake treats have got all the flavor of Carrot Cake, but they’re refined sugar free, gluten free, dairy free and vegan… oh, but you’d neeeever know it 😉.
It’s honestly shocking at how unhealthy storebought Carrot Cake mixes are. Here’s a little preview of Betty Crocker’s mix (unhealthy ingredients are in bold):
Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Carrot Flavored Pieces (Corn Syrup, Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour, Corn Cereal, Partially Hydrogenated Oil, Carrot Powder, Artificial Colors Yellow 6 and Red 40, Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Starch, Partially Hydrogenated Oil, Propylene Glycol Mono and Diesters of Fatty Acids, Salt, Distilled Monoglycerides, Cinnamon, Spices, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Artificial Color, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum.
The amount of bolded ingredients in that list is shocking. And quite frankly, disturbing.
Just like regular Carrot Cake, these soft and fudgy Carrot Cake Energy Bites have a ton of carrot flavor and warming ground cinnamon. But, unlike those (horrifying) storebought carrot cake mixes, these energy balls are made without the white sugar, corn syrup, bleached flour, hydrogenated oil, artificial food dyes and preservatives.
These Healthy Carrot Cake Energy Bites are upgraded with hints of orange and coconut flavors, as well as a secret superfood ingredient — turmeric!
Healthy Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Healthy Carrot Cake Energy Bites — perfect for when you’re craving a slice of carrot cake but want something easy and on-the-go! These bite-sized no bake treats have got all the flavor of Carrot Cake, but they’re refined sugar free, gluten free, dairy free and vegan… oh, but you’d neeeever know it ;).
- 90g (1 cup) Grated Carrots
- 128g (½ cup) Natural Almond Butter
- ½ cup 100% Orange Juice
- 2 tsp Vanilla Crème-Flavored Stevia Extract
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Orange Zest
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Ground Turmeric
- 127g (1¼ cups) Quinoa Flakes
- 60g (½ cup) Quick Cooking Oats
- 21g (3 tbs) Coconut Flour
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In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a beater attachment, add the grated carrots, almond butter, OJ, stevia extract, vanilla extract, cinnamon, orange zest and salt. Mix on low speed.
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While mixing, add the quinoa flakes, then oats, then coconut flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
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Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Roll the dough into balls. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for later!
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Amount Per Serving (1 energy bite)
Calories 80
Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Sodium 35mg2%
Potassium 90mg3%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 1100IU22%
Vitamin C 3.3mg4%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Feel free to add raisins, shredded coconut, or even a dash of ground nutmeg to the recipe! I’m not a huge fan of raisins or nutmeg, and I was out of coconut when I made these bites, but feel free to experiment with those.
Enjoy!
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With love and good eats,
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– Jess
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