These Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake bites require only 1 bowl, a few minutes + zero cooking! They’re sweet + decadent, but free from gluten, dairy + refined sugar!
If I had to pick the best dessert of all time, I’d probably have to choose Carrot Cake. I know I’m not alone in that choice, but I also know that I can’t be the only who who mostly chooses carrot cake for the cream cheese frosting, right? Which is why I knew that I had to find the PERFECT recipe for these Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bites that actually tasted like carrot cake AND cream cheese frosting – not just like carrots.
And guys, I nailed it.
No Bake Treats
No bake treats are totally my jam. I love, love, love having easy sweet treats on hand, but I don’t always have time for lots of baking during the week. Having some go-to recipes that only require a bowl and a spoon.
I’m all about optimal rewards with minimal effort…especially when we’re talking about dessert!
Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bite Ingredients
The ingredients in these Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bites are really pretty basic. These bites are real food based, as always, and they’re MUCH lower in sugar than a traditional carrot cake – like 2 tablespoons total of sweetener in the entire recipe. It’s amazing how much they still taste like a treat!
This recipe is also Paleo, Grain + Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free + Egg-Free, so its safe for all sorts of allergens + special diets. However, I promise you won’t even miss the traditional flour, sugar, butter combo. These bites are just as decadent + spiced!
- Nut Butter – I recommend cashew butter, which will allow the other spices to sing, but really, any would work in a pinch!
- Maple Syrup – You could totally use honey too, but maple is just slightly better in flavour in my opinion.
- Vanilla – This is totally optional, especially since its so expensive, but if you have it on hand, it’ll add a little something extra.
- Almond Flour – This gives the no bake bites the most amazing texture! If you don’t have it, I would try to sub oat flour (ground oats), but I haven’t actually tried it myself!
- Coconut Flour – This is really essential and can’t really be swapped for something else. If you’re desperate and really don’t have any, I’d up the almond or oat flour to 1 cup + see what texture that gets you!
- Spices – We’re going classic: cinnamon, nutmeg + ginger. I love my paleo no bake carrot cake bites to have a bit of spice, but feel free to play with the ratios that feel best for you!
- Carrot – Duh! We can’t have carrot cake bites without carrot, can we? We just use one, but it adds the perfect hint of texture + makes the bites look super traditional.
- SECRET WEAPON INGREDIENT – Guys, you have to hang with me here. I promise you that this works, but it’s going to sound weird. The secret ingredient is Apple Cider Vinegar. There, I said it. But before you write me off as crazy, let me just assure you that it’s this addition that gives the bites their tang, which mimics cream cheese way more than you might imagine.
Making + Storing the Bites
The actual making of these Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bites could’t be simpler. It literally requires a little bit of stirring + rolling, that’s totally it. This job is totally kid friendly too – have them help you!
Once the balls are mixed + formed, you can choose to leave them naked or to roll them in something yummy. Coconut flakes or chopped nuts add to the flavour and texture, but my personal fav? Drizzle or dunk them in melted coconut butter. It’s so buttery + creamy + delish!
These balls will keep on your counter or in the cupboard for at least a week, but I love to keep mine in the fridge for an even fudgier texture. They should keep for a few weeks in the cold. They also freeze brilliantly and are perfect for popping out one by one when you need a little treat!
These Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bites might be my new favourite treat. They’re sweet + spicy, decadent + tangy. They’re quick, easy + totally real food friendly!
I’d love for you guys to give these babies a try + to let me know what you think! Leaving a rating or a review down below really help me so much + helps other people find my content too! I adore seeing your recreations on instagram, so be sure to tag me at jessicaeatsrealfood!
And if you’re looking for other winning, no bake paleo treats, be sure to try my Paleo No Bake Samoa Bars, Paleo No Bake Brownie Bites + Paleo No Bake Cookie Dough! They’re all fan favs!
Paleo No Bake Carrot Cake Bites
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 5 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the wet ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
- Add all of the dry ingredients to the bowl, minus the carrots, and mix until a thick dough forms.
- Lastly, stir in the grated carrot and form into balls of your desired size. If they're a little soft, don't worry! They'll continue to firm up in the fridge.
- Optional topping: roll the balls in chopped nuts, coconut or dip in melted coconut butter!
I had to modify a couple of the ingredients because… lockdown. I feel like my modifications definitely cost me some of the texture as mine turned out a little funky – but they totally had all the yummy taste and flavour of carrot cake without the baking which was what I was looking for! Would definitely recommend but would highlight that when Jessica says the coconut flour is pretty essential, she’s probably right!
OH NO, ha! Yes, I think the coconut flour is probably essential to these not being a soggy mess, ha! Maybe I’ll play around with some other options + see if I can find an alternative for when people are out!