There’s a bit of a story behind this carrot cake recipe. When I was little, there was a woman who attended church with us. Her name was Mary Russell – not Mary, not Miss Mary, and not Mrs. Russell. Mary Russell. Every time. I never called her anything else other than that – even when speaking directly to her. And now, I have no idea why I did that. I think maybe everyone else did too – or at least the people in my family. Maybe it’s why I also refer to myself in third person regularly.

But anyway, Mary Russell was a baker. Not just any baker. She would put Sara Lee or Betty Crocker to shame. Betty Crocker who!? She sold baked goods – and not just any baked goods. Baked goods that would make you slap your mama or push your sister down. True story. 

There is always a hunt for a healthy dessert recipe. But really, is dessert supposed to be healthy? Isn’t it supposed to be an indulgence that we have occasionally just for the sake of the pure enjoyment of food? Sure, it’s cool to say “Here is my apple, it’s my dessert.” But really, an apple is not dessert. You can say it’s dessert – it can stand in the place of dessert – but it’s no piece of chocolate cake. So let’s try a real dessert recipe that’s actually somewhat healthy(ish) – oatmeal peanut butter bars.