Irresistible Carrot Cake Bars with Creamy Frosting

Carrot cake bars are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of carrots with a hint of warm spices, creating a cozy dessert experience. Their moist texture and creamy frosting make them perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering or a simple afternoon snack.

Imagine biting into a soft, spiced carrot cake bar, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. It’s like a warm hug on a plate! These bars are ideal for everything from birthday parties to casual coffee breaks, promising smiles with every bite.

I remember the first time I made these carrot cake bars; my friends devoured them in seconds and convinced me I was some sort of baking wizard!

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Grated Carrots: Freshly grated carrots provide moisture and natural sweetness; look for firm carrots for the best results.

• All-Purpose Flour: Use standard all-purpose flour for the perfect structure; sifting it helps avoid lumps.

• Granulated Sugar: White sugar adds sweetness; consider reducing slightly if you prefer less sugary desserts.

• Brown Sugar: This adds depth and moisture; light or dark brown sugar both work well in this recipe.

• Baking Powder: Make sure it’s fresh to ensure your bars rise beautifully; check expiration dates!

• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon enhances the warm flavors; feel free to add nutmeg for extra spice.

• Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for better mixing; they bind the ingredients together nicely.

• Vegetable Oil: This keeps your bars moist; canola oil is a great alternative if you prefer.

• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract gives an aromatic sweetness that enhances all flavors in the bars.

• Cream Cheese: For the frosting, use softened cream cheese for easy mixing and spreading; it adds that rich taste we love.

• Powdered Sugar: This creates a smooth frosting texture; sift it first to avoid any lumps in your frosting.

• Lemon Zest (optional): A touch of lemon zest brightens the frosting flavor; just a little makes a big difference!

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it together

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Mix Dry Ingredients Together: In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of flavors throughout your batter.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. The mixture should be slightly thick but well blended.

Add Carrots to Batter : Gently fold in the grated carrots into wet ingredients until they are fully incorporated. You want those vibrant orange strands evenly mixed throughout.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures : Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture while folding gently. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until no flour pockets remain.

Bake Until Golden Brown : Pour the batter into your prepared pan and level it out. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with just a few crumbs attached.

Create Cream Cheese Frosting : While bars cool down completely, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Add lemon zest if desired for an extra zing.

Frost Your Bars : Once cooled entirely, spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the top using an offset spatula for that bakery-style finish.

Enjoy these carrot cake bars right away or store them in an airtight container in the fridge—they taste even better after chilling!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by grating your carrots and preheating the oven while you mix the batter. This ensures even cooking and brings out the delightful spices in your carrot cake bars.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap walnuts for pecans or add raisins for extra sweetness. These simple changes can personalize your carrot cake bars and make them uniquely yours.

Storing & Reheating

Store your carrot cake bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. For a warm treat, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving.

Sometimes, I bake these carrot cake bars for potlucks, and they disappear faster than my cat when I try to give her a bath!

FAQ

Can I use store-bought shredded carrots?

Using store-bought shredded carrots is convenient but may lack freshness compared to freshly grated ones.

How do I know when my carrot cake bars are done?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your bars are perfectly baked.

Can I freeze carrot cake bars?

Yes, these bars freeze well! Just wrap them tightly before freezing to maintain freshness.

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Carrot Cake Bars

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• Author: Jennifer
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x

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Description

Carrot cake bars are a deliciously moist treat that marries the sweet flavor of fresh carrots with warm spices and a creamy frosting. Perfect for any occasion—from birthday parties to casual coffee breaks—these bars offer a cozy dessert experience that will leave everyone smiling. Bake a batch and enjoy the comforting aroma filling your kitchen!

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Lemon zest (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold in grated carrots before combining wet and dry ingredients without overmixing.
5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. For frosting, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth; add lemon zest if desired.
7. Frost cooled bars and enjoy!

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar (60g)
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg