Heavenly Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Baking these delectable carrot cake bars will transport you to a world of sweet, spicy comfort.

Warm cinnamon and rich cream cheese mingle in every delightful bite.

My grandmother’s secret recipe inspired this incredible twist on a classic dessert.

Each bar promises a moist, tender crumb bursting with natural sweetness from fresh carrots.

Nuts add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the silky frosting.

Grab a mixing bowl and let’s create something magical together.

I promise these bars will become your new favorite weekend treat.

What You’ll Need for Carrot Cake Bars

• Flour: Provides structure and base for the cake bars, all-purpose flour works best.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that add depth and classic carrot cake flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bars moist and tender, neutral flavor recommended.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens and adds moisture to the bars.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds rich, aromatic flavor.

• Shredded Carrots: Provides moisture, natural sweetness, and signature carrot cake texture.
• Chopped Nuts, Raisins: Optional mix-ins for extra texture and flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Creamy base for classic tangy frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground ginger

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

• Freshly grated carrots
• Chopped walnuts (optional)
• Raisins (optional)

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly with a spatula. Slide into preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Continue beating until frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Once bars are completely cool, spread frosting evenly across the top. Use a spatula to create smooth or swirled designs.

Step 8: Serve and Store

Slice into square bars. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips for Moist Bars and Smooth Frosting

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for dry and wet ingredients to ensure the perfect texture and rise of your carrot cake bars.
• Grate Carrots Finely: Shred carrots using the smallest holes on a box grater for a smoother, more integrated cake texture that prevents large carrot chunks.
• Room Temperature Matters: Allow eggs and cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent batter and frosting.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir the batter gently until ingredients are just combined to prevent tough, dense bars and maintain a tender crumb.
• Customize Creatively: Experiment with additional mix-ins like toasted coconut, dried cranberries, or swap nuts to personalize your carrot cake bars.

Best Storage Methods for Carrot Cake Bars

• Store carrot cake bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss for up to 5 days.
• Wrap bars individually with plastic wrap or place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve texture.
• Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore softness.
• Freeze unfrosted bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before adding cream cheese frosting.

What to Eat with Cream Cheese-Topped Bars

• Sweet Riesling or Moscato complement the cake's rich, spiced flavors, balancing the creamy frosting with their light, fruity notes.
• Espresso or cappuccino enhance the carrot cake's warmth, cutting through the sweetness and highlighting the dessert's complex spices.
• Cold whole milk or vanilla almond milk provide a smooth, refreshing contrast to the dense, spiced cake bars, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Chamomile or chai tea harmonize with the cake's warm spices, offering a soothing background that elevates the dessert's comforting qualities.

Carrot Cake Bars That Feel Like Dessert and Snack in One

• Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual parties, these bars satisfy both kids and adults with their irresistible combination of moist cake and creamy frosting.
• Prepare these bars in advance and store them easily in the refrigerator, making them a convenient dessert option for busy households or unexpected guests.
• Packed with carrots and optional nuts, these bars offer a sneaky way to incorporate vegetables into a sweet dessert while providing a hint of nutritional value.

Carrot Cake Bar Mix-Ins You Should Try

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Carrot Cake Bars: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create dairy-free cream cheese frosting using vegan cream cheese alternatives.
• Reduced Sugar Carrot Cake Bars: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie, diabetic-friendly version.
• Nut-Free Option: Eliminate chopped nuts entirely or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the same texture and crunch.

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Indulgent carrot cake bars bring warmth and comfort to classic dessert lovers. Layers of spiced cake and smooth cream cheese frosting create a mouthwatering treat you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) finely shredded carrots
• 2 large eggs
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup (75 g) raisins

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, ensuring an even distribution of flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. Whisk the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl, blending vegetable oil, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
5. Incorporate shredded carrots, optional chopped nuts, and raisins into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and create an even surface.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
8. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, which helps set the structure and prevents crumbling.
9. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable.
11. Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface, creating decorative swirls or a smooth finish.
12. Slice into squares and serve. Refrigerate any remaining bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Grate Carrots Finely: Use the smallest holes on a box grater to ensure super moist, evenly distributed carrot pieces throughout the bars.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs, cream cheese, and butter to sit at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Reduce Sugar Option: Cut down on sugar by replacing some granulated sugar with unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana for a healthier twist.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Skip nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for added crunch without allergens.
• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep the bars tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
• Frosting Consistency: If cream cheese frosting seems too thick, add a splash of milk; if too thin, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes before spreading.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg