Description
Homemade Carrot Cake Bars deliver pure comfort with layers of warm spices and silky cream cheese frosting. Rich California carrots and classic baking ingredients combine to create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor down to the last delicious crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrot Cake Bars:
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable Ingredient:
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated carrots
Cream Cheese Frosting:
Main Dairy Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter, softened
Sweetener and Flavoring:
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with a light grease coating.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate large bowl until well blended.
- Fold grated carrots into the wet mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly across the top using an offset spatula.
- Slice into bars and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Grate carrots finely for a smoother texture and even distribution throughout the bars.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter to ensure a silky, lump-free frosting.
- Swap vegetable oil with applesauce for a lower-fat version that keeps the bars moist.
- Enhance nutrition by adding chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 293 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 138 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg