Grandma Bernice's Carrot Bars
live lake love
I’m up north again this summer. We are far from a resort town which is actually kind of great. There is nowhere to “go” we only leave occasionally to buy provisions and drive people to and from the airport. The town is so small that main street is comprised of a gas station, the local historical society, post office, ice cream/antique shop, a bar and grill, defunct bowling alley, and that’s about it. Otherwise we are taking advantage of what the middle of nowhere has to offer.
Meals are very simple and usually grilled, ice cream comes in gallon-sized tubs with peanut butter hot fudge (gift link), we’re picking veggies from the garden, swimming, throwing rocks into the lake, watching the sunset, trying to not scratch our mosquito bits, and all of that good stuff. My 3 year old just straight up digs in the dirt for hours at a time, then takes 2+ hour naps. Heaven. This badger balm stick is helping to ease the itchiness btw. This mosquito repellent candle also smells kind of great, tbd how well it works, but the placebo effect is excellent!
We are on a spring fed lake so the water level varies from year to year, as does the temperature depending on where you are swimming. This year the water level is down quite a bit that has exposed a few feet of beach that we don’t normally get to enjoy. This has led me to a new obsession with collecting rocks. I joined a few rockhound groups on Facebook to help identify my finds, and I’ve been scouring marketplace for a used rock tumbler. Last year it was birds, this year rocks…middle age comes at you fast.
When we are here I love to leaf through all of the cooking pamphlets from the 1960s and look for recipes that catch my eye. Last year it was these no bake bars. This year, the family was passing around a well loved recipe card with Grandma Bernice’s Carrot Bars starring jarred pureed carrots and I knew I had to give it a go. I’ve heard tell of making carrot cake with baby food carrots, but I have never tried it myself.
These bars are more cake than cookie, baked in a half sheet pan, covered with a thin layer of cream cheese frosting. The puree gives the one bowl cake an extremely soft and moist crumb. There is a moderate amount of spice as written, it could certainly take more if you like a heavily spiced cake. The sugar could probably be cut as well, but the sweet nostalgic flavor of these is a treat. The thin layer of frosting adds a creamy and tangy note and chopped toasted nuts mellow the sweetness as well. I used chopped toasted pecans in the cake and on top, but you could use walnuts or no nuts at all if they aren’t your thing. Have you ever made cake with baby food? I am curious to try it in other recipes now!
Crow Canyon Home has the perfect bake and serve ware for cabin or picnic cooking. I also love their storage bowls with lids, mixing/serve bowls, and this anchovy tray! I just bought this comically huge bowl for the cabin, but you know what, when you are cooking for 30 people you need a bowl big enough to bathe a small child. Check out their new collab with daniel pelosi too!
Use the code YOSSY20 for 20% off at Material Kitchen. I especially like their microplastic free cutting boards and knives
Get 20% off the most delicious smelling dish soap and cleaning products from Koala Eco FREE gifts with purchase too!
My favorite baking pans from Nordicware
My favorite spatulas by GIR
My favorite whisk for bigger jobs by OXO
Fun and colorful sheet pans by Great Jones available as half or quarter sheets. These are a bit heavier than the Nordicware, and they can double as serving platters. We love that!
