Iced Orange-Carrot Bars

Carrot cookie bars iced with a sweet orange glaze.

Recipe Ingredients:

Bars:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cooked, mashed carrots*
1/3 cup orange juice

Orange Icing:
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Directions:

1. For Bars: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8 x 11-inch baking pan.
2. In medium bowl combine flour, coconut, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.
3. In mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, egg, orange peel and vanilla until well blended. Stir in mashed carrot and orange juice; mixing well. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, stirring until just mixed. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for about 35 minutes. Top with Orange Icing.
4. For Icing: Combine orange juice, orange peel and powdered sugar, mixing well. Spread over warm bars. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Makes 18 bars.