Carrot and Raisin Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Combine carrots, raisins, water, sugar, orange juice, butter, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Pour carrot mixture into a large bowl and cool to lukewarm, 15 to 20 minutes.

Stir flour, egg, baking soda, and salt into carrot mixture until batter is well mixed; fold in walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.