Carrot Cake Bites Recipes

Steps:

• Combine dates and apricots in a small measuring cup or bowl. Add enough hot water to cover and allow fruit to soak for 15 minutes to soften.
• Drain dates and apricots and add to the bowl of a food processor. Add carrots, walnuts, coconut flakes, almond butter, flax meal, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Pulse, scraping down the sides frequently, until mixture comes together to form a mostly smooth, sticky dough, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough using a lightly greased tablespoon measure. Roll into balls with lightly greased hands.
• Place bites into an airtight container and freeze until set, at least 1 hour. Keep stored in the freezer.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan or 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour.
• In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla and salt; beat on medium speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots, pineapple, nuts and coconut (batter will be thick). Pour into pan(s).
• Bake 13x9-inch pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on cooling rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make Cream Cheese Frosting. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and milk with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
• Frost 13x9-inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the oats, carrots and pecans., Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool., Freeze option: Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Freeze until firm. Transfer cookie dough balls to resealable freezer containers; seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, place frozen dough 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.