Description
These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese layer. Perfect for any gathering, this crowd-pleaser dessert delivers warm flavors with a cool, creamy finish.
Ingredients
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment or grease lightly.
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, both sugars, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Fold in grated carrots until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Add walnuts if using.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
7. Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and gradually add powdered sugar until smooth.
8. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Slice and enjoy.
Notes
Always use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture.
Don’t skip cooling before frosting to avoid a melty mess.
These bars freeze great—just wrap individually for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert