FOR THE OATMEAL BARS – 1 ¼ cup (142g) old-fashioned oats – ¾ cup (111g) white whole wheat flour (or AP or whole wheat flour) – 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon – 1 teaspoon baking powder – ½ teaspoon ground ginger – ½ teaspoon salt – ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – ½ cup (117g) olive oil, or any neutral oil – ⅓ cup (87g) pure maple syrup – 1 ¼ cup (312g) milk of choice, room temperature – 2 large eggs, room temperature – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – 1 ¼ cups (98g) shredded carrots (~3-4 large carrots) – ⅓ cup (50g) chopped walnuts or pecans – ⅓ cup (25g) unsweetened shredded coconut – ¼ cup (38g) golden raisins
FOR THE PROTEIN POWDER ICING – ½ cup (68g) powdered sugar – ¼ cup (23g) vanilla whey protein isolate powder – 2-3 Tablespoons milk or water – 1 teaspoon cream cheese extract or vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8x8" baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Whisk oats, flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. 3. In a large bowl, whisk oil, maple syrup, milk, eggs, and vanilla. 4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and whisk until combined.. 5. Fold in carrots, nuts, coconut, and raisins.
6. Pour batter into prepared 8x8" baking dish. 7. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until baked in the center. 8. While bars cool, in a small bowl, whisk icing ingredients. Start with 2 Tablespoons of milk or water. If too thick, add an additional Tablespoon if needed, until desired consistency is reached. 9. Drizzle icing over cooled bars. 10. Let icing harden (~20 minutes), slice, and enjoy!