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Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Author: Nina Klatten
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12–16 bars

Description

Soft, moist, and richly spiced, these Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a crowd-pleasing treat that combines classic comfort with bakery-level indulgence. Whether you’re craving something sweet for a spring gathering, Easter brunch, or simply looking for easy dessert ideas that impress, these bars have you covered. Packed with grated carrots, warm spices, and finished with a silky cream cheese topping, they’re the perfect blend of cozy and refreshing.

Ingredients

For the carrot cake bars:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups finely grated carrots

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the cream cheese frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
  5. Fold in the grated carrots and nuts if using. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
  7. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla.
  8. Spread the frosting over the cooled carrot cake bars. Chill for 15–20 minutes before slicing into squares.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert

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Find it online: https://ninadishes.com/decadent-carrot-cake-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/