Carrot Cake Quinoa Bars

Last week, I started doing P90X, after finishing Insanity: the Asylum and taking one week easy in between, doing mostly yoga.  So far, I'm actually quite enjoying P90X - it's such a stark contrast from any of the Insanity programs, so it's definitely a way to make sure my body never adapts to any one workout.  I like that it's a lot more strength centered - I may have some pretty great back muscles once this is all done.  My back has definitely been feeling it; I think it's permanently sore at this point, haha.

These bars are perfect for fueling me for the workouts.  I've been eating one with greek yogurt and a banana for breakfast every morning this week, alternating between flavors (cherry, banana nut, and carrot cake).  So good!

For the carrot cake flavor, I went mostly by the ingredients in a Lara bar: dates, almonds, walnuts, raisins, carrots, coconut and cinnamon.  I then added quinoa, of course, for an extra pow of health, and a bit of vanilla.  I love how much these really taste like carrot cake in bar form!  A billion times healthier, too.

These are so easy to just grab and go, and they're so satisfying.  Chocolate, next? ;)


Carrot Cake Quinoa Bars
makes 1 dozen bars

2/3 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t vanilla

In a food processor, pulse together the nuts, until they are in fine crumbs. Pulse in the carrots, coconut, quinoa, and cinnamon.  Add the dates and raisins, and mix until it starts to form a dough. Add in the vanilla, and pulse until well combined.
Press the dough into a parchment lined baking pan, and bake at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes, until golden.
Allow to cool in the pan slightly. Cut into bars, and remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

You can freeze these for up to 2 months, tightly wrapped.


Other Quinoa Bar Recipes:
Banana Nut
Cherry