Carrot Cake Cheesecake Crumb Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cup flour

• 1 1/4 cup oats

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp allspice

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon extract (if you can find it)

• 1 1/2 cup shredded/grated carrots

• 1 cup pecans (or 3/4 cup chopped pecans) or walnuts

Cheesecake layer:

• 2 pkgs cream cheese (16ozs), softened

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9 x 13 pan, add parchment paper and line the pan.

2. In a large bowl or a bowl of a stand up mixer, combine flour, oats, sugars, baking soda and spices.

3. Add butter and mix until course.

4. Add vanilla and mix.

5. Add carrots and pecans and mix.

6. Remove 2 cups of crumb mixture and set aside. *This will be your top layer.

7. Press the crumb mixture into the parchment lined pan until it covers the entire pan.

8. Bake for 20 mins.

9. While bottom layer is baking, mix the cheesecake layer.

10. Mix together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

11. Add one egg at a time then vanilla. Mix until well incorporated.

12. Remove pan from oven, add the cheesecake layer over the top.

13. Add the 2 cups crumb mixture to the top of that, spreading all around to cover it evenly.

14. Place in oven and bake for 30-45 mins or until the cheesecake layer is golden brown and set.

15. Let cool in pan for at least 30 mins then using the parchment sides remove the bars from the pan. Let cool completely then place in refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

16. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Tips:

• Add raisins or walnuts for an added flavor.

• If you don’t have a way to shred carrots, buy the pre-shredded at the grocery store.

• If you are GF, try coconut or oat flour instead of regular flour!