Sweet Indulgences - Pineapple Carrot Coconut Bars {Gluten-Free}

Today marks the one year anniversary for Bella Bella Vita and I am so very grateful to everyone who has followed my blog and continued to read my posts.  It's been a labor of love and I thank you for all of your comments, emails and encouragement over the year!

Bella Bella Vita has been a wonderful journey and has brought so much joy into my life.  It's been an amazing creative outlet and a much needed distraction from my daily Lupus challenges.  I love sharing the things that are close to my heart (Inspiration, Sweet Indulgences, Dog Lovin', Artist Spotlight, In The Kitchen & Pinterest Favorites) and have enjoyed connecting with others who share the same passions.

Sharing a new snack recipe I created today ... my 1st experiment with "energy" bars.  I hope you enjoy!

Pineapple Carrot Coconut Bars {Gluten- Free}

Recipe by Laura Ashman Jolna

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 24 treats

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cup oat flour, gluten-free
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup mashed pineapple (ripe)
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup lite coconut milk
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp Truvia sweetner
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup raisins
• shredded coconut for topping (approx 2 Tbsp)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350º.

Mix all dry ingredients (oat flour thru salt) together in a medium bowl with a whisk.

Using a Kitchenaid mixer or hand mixer, combine pineapple, carrots, coconut milk, honey, Truvia, & egg white; mix well.   

Add oat flour mixture to wet mixture a little at a time and mix until blended.  Stir in raisins.

Refrigerate dough for at least 15 minutes.

Spread into square 9"x9" baking pan coated with canola spray.

Bake 25 minutes.  Cool on wire rack and then cut into bars.  Enjoy!

Note:
I use Bob's Red Mill for the oat flour and flaxseed meal. I buy it at my local health food store, but you can also buy them at amazon.com:

• One 22 oz Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain Oat Flour 
• Bob's Red Mill Golden Flaxseed, 24-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4) 

I've also been buying regular oats and grinding them myself in my cuisinart.  I like this method as well because I can control the fineness or coarseness of the oat flour.

If you have the Paprika recipe app and would like to download any of these recipes, please email me and I'll send it to you in the correct format.

Have a sweet day!

*  This lovely bird plate is from Vietri and is a treasured gift from my sister-in-law.  Thanks again Gale!