Carrot-Orange Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup mashed cooked carrots
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 11×7 inch pan.

In a medium bowl, cream the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until well blended. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg and slowly add to mixture, alternating with 1/3 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons of rind. Stir in the coconut and carrots. Pour batter into baking pan.

Bake for about 35 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cool on wire racks.

Combine 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1 teaspoon of orange rind and 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar. Warm slightly and pour over cooled bars.