How to make carrot cake cookies for the perfect healthy treat

By CARINA STATHIS and SOPHIE HASLETT FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA 05:19 13 Jan 2021, updated 07:42 13 Jan 2021 * SYDNEY TEACHER KATIE LOLAS, 35, SHARED HER RECIPE FOR CARROT CAKE COOKIES  * THE

RECIPE MAKES UP TO 15 MEDIUM COOKIES AND TAKES NO LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES * THE END RESULT IS THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN SWEET AND SAVOURY   * KATIE ALSO SHARED HOW TO CREATE YOUR DREAM

FRIDGE AND KEEP FOOD FRESH FOR LONGER A Sydney secondary school teacher has revealed her recipe to make unique carrot cake cookies - and they're completely guilt-free. Katie Lolas, who

regularly shares health, fitness and meal prepping snaps on Instagram, shared the recipe with her 162,000 followers and had rave reviews.  'Did someone say carrot cake cookies? Yes

please! Soft, chewy and taste like carrot cake with just the right amount of cream cheese icing,' she captioned a photo of the mouthwatering morsels.  The 35-year-old said the recipe

makes between 12 to 15 medium-sized cookies and only takes 40 minutes to do. 'These cookies make the perfect snack or wholesome post-dinner treat,' she said. To make the cookie

base, rolled oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut oil, an egg, natural maple syrup, milk and carrots are required. To make the icing, only reduced-fat cream cheese, icing

sugar and water is needed.  RELATED ARTICLES The cookies would be ideal for those who are wanting to avoid eating sweets or as an after-school snack for children. The icing on top adds a

small touch of sweetness balanced with the taste of cinnamon and carrot. When storing the snack, Katie recommends placing in an airtight container and leaving in the refrigerator for up to a

week. Maple syrup can also be replaced with sweetener, and butter can be used instead of coconut oil.  HOW TO MAKE CARROT CAKE COOKIES:   Ingredients Cookies  * 1 cup rolled oats * 3/4 cup

flour * 1 1/2 tsp baking powder * 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon * 1/4 tsp nutmeg * 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped * 2 tbsp coconut oil or butter  * 1 egg  * 1/3 cup maple syrup or sweetener  * 1 tsp

vanilla essence * 5 tbsp milk of choice * 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated  Icing    * 100g reduced-fat cream cheese softened * 2 tbsp icing sugar * 1/2 tbsp water Toppings   * Walnuts,

crushed (optional) METHOD  Preheat your oven to 180C and line a large baking tray with baking paper Add the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuts to a medium bowl and mix

well  In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the coconut oil, egg, vanilla, maple syrup and milk  Slowly add to the flour mixture, mixing just until combined  Gently fold through the

grated carrot, then chill the dough for 15 minutes  Roll the dough into 12 to 15 balls, place onto baking tray and flatten with your fingers  Bake for up to 15 minutes or until golden brown,

then allow to cool on the tray for five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack  Once cookies are cool, combine icing ingredients in a small bowl and spread on top of each cookie 

Sprinkle each cookie with crushed nuts and enjoy Source: Katie Lolas/Instagram Earlier this month Katie also shared how to create your dream fridge and keep your meals prepped food fresh for

up to four days. She has religiously prepped her breakfasts, lunches and snacks for four days of every working week.  On Instagram she revealed her top tips and tricks, including spraying

avocado with extra Virgin olive oil to preserve its shelf life and washing your fruit in vinegar to make it last. HOW TO MAKE YOUR FRUIT LAST LONGER If you want long-lasting fruit, the

35-year-old said it's all about making a home solution and rinsing the fruit in it before you put it in your fridge. 'Rinse your fruit in a large bowl using one part vinegar and

four parts water,' Katie posted on Instagram. 'Drain, dry thoroughly, cut if required and then refrigerate immediately in an airtight container.'    Washing fruit and

vegetables in water and vinegar is also a good way to remove potential bacteria. HOW TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF AN AVOCADO Got an avocado but only want to use half or a quarter? Katie said you

should 'lightly spray' any visible avocado flesh with some extra Virgin olive oil and refrigerate it in an airtight container. 'I find that this prolongs its flavour and

aesthetic for at least an extra couple of days,' Katie said. KEEP SALAD FRESH FOR LONGER For people who love to make salads on a Sunday to get them through the working week, Katie said

the best thing to do is put your bagged lettuce and extras immediately into an airtight container. 'Avoid adding dressing or salt to your salad until you're ready to eat it,'

she said. 'I also store my protein and fresh produce in a separate smaller container until I'm ready to serve it.'  MAKE YOUR VEGGIE STICKS STAY FRESH  To prolong the life of

vegetable sticks, they should be kept in an airtight container, ideally with a few tablespoons of water, which Katie said keep them 'hydrated and crunchy'. 'Shake your

container every couple of days to ensure your vegetable sticks stay fresh,' Katie said.  KEEP YOUR LEFTOVERS TASTING GOOD Finally, Katie said if you want to keep some leftovers, you

should let them fully cool down to room temperature, before immediately refrigerating in an airtight container. 'Wipe away any condensation that may build on the lid the following

morning and remember, meals can only be reheated once,' she said.  To find out more about Katie Lolas, you can visit her website here.