Carrot-Cake Bars

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons stick margarine or butter, softened
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups regular oats
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Beat sugar and margarine at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add buttermilk, vanilla, and egg whites; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (flour through salt); gradually add to sugar mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in carrot and raisins.
3. Pour batter into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 33 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.