Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Deliciously Moist Treat

Carrot cake is a classic dessert known for its moist texture, sweet flavor, and the perfect balance of spices. But when you transform it into bars, it becomes even more convenient to serve and enjoy. These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are an irresistible treat that combines the rich, spiced flavor of carrot cake with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. The bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to holiday gatherings to casual get-togethers.

The moist texture of these carrot cake bars is achieved with the perfect blend of ingredients like grated carrots, eggs, and oil, which keep the bars tender while maintaining that signature carrot cake flavor. Topping it all off is a luscious cream cheese frosting that adds a tangy sweetness, creating a perfect contrast to the warmth of the cake. The combination of spices, sweetness, and frosting makes these bars a crowd favorite. If you’re a fan of carrot cake, these bars will quickly become a go-to dessert in your baking repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy to Make

This recipe simplifies the classic carrot cake by turning it into easy-to-make bars. You don’t need to fuss with layers or complicated techniques, making it perfect for beginners or busy bakers.

2. Moist and Flavorful

The combination of grated carrots, spices, and oil creates a moist, flavorful carrot cake that stays fresh for days. These bars are the ideal texture—soft but not too dense.

3. Cream Cheese Frosting

What’s a carrot cake without the cream cheese frosting? The tangy sweetness of the frosting complements the rich flavors of the cake perfectly, adding that signature cream cheese finish.

4. Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether it’s a special celebration or a casual afternoon snack, these carrot cake bars are versatile enough to serve at any event. They make for an easy dessert that everyone will enjoy.

5. Make-Ahead Friendly

These bars can be made ahead of time, and they actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together. It’s a perfect make-ahead dessert for busy weeks or parties.

Ingredients

• Carrots (grated)
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Cream cheese
• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Variations

1. Add Raisins

For added sweetness and texture, mix in a handful of raisins into the batter. They give the bars an extra burst of flavor and chewiness.

2. Use Different Nuts

If you’re not a fan of walnuts or pecans, feel free to use other nuts like almonds or pistachios to add a different crunch to the bars.

3. Spicy Version

Add a little extra kick to your carrot cake bars by increasing the amount of cinnamon or adding cloves for a spicier flavor profile.

4. Gluten-Free Version

To make these bars gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

5. Vegan Version

For a vegan variation, use a plant-based cream cheese and swap the eggs with flax eggs or chia seeds mixed with water.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and grated carrots.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. If desired, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture.

Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool the Bars

Allow the carrot cake bars to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 8: Frost the Bars

Once the carrot cake bars have cooled completely, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Cut into squares and serve!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Grate the Carrots Finely: For the best texture, grate the carrots finely. This helps them incorporate better into the batter and results in a smoother cake.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense bars.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter for the frosting are at room temperature to ensure smooth frosting.
• Bake Evenly: Check the bars at the 30-minute mark. If the top is getting too brown before the middle is cooked through, cover with foil and continue baking.

How to Serve

Carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Serve them at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They make a great dessert for any celebration or even just a sweet treat for a casual afternoon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover carrot cake bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to stay fresh longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the carrot cake bars with or without the frosting. For freezing without frosting, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. For frosting, place the bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

Reheat the carrot cake bars in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them warm, but they are just as delicious at room temperature.

FAQs

1. Can I make these bars without nuts?

Yes, you can omit the nuts completely or substitute them with something else, such as shredded coconut, or leave them out if preferred.

2. Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?

Yes, brown sugar adds a richer flavor, but you can substitute it with an equal amount of granulated sugar if you prefer.

3. Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, you can substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly denser texture and more rustic flavor.

4. How do I make the frosting less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting, you can cut down on the powdered sugar, but be sure to maintain the right consistency for spreading.

5. How do I prevent the cake from being too dense?

Be sure not to overmix the batter, as this can make the cake dense. Also, ensure that your baking powder or baking soda is fresh and active.

6. Can I use pre-grated carrots?

While you can use pre-grated carrots, freshly grated carrots tend to have a better texture and moisture content for the cake.

7. Can I make these bars in advance?

Yes, the bars can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container. They taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop.

8. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese in the frosting, but it may affect the texture slightly, making it a bit less rich.

9. How can I make the bars more moist?

Make sure you’re using enough oil and don’t overbake the bars. Adding extra carrots can also increase moisture content.

10. Are these bars gluten-free?

You can make these bars gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Conclusion

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect combination of rich flavors and soft texture. These easy-to-make bars are great for any occasion and offer all the deliciousness of carrot cake without the hassle of layers. With a simple cream cheese frosting that balances the spiced cake, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your dessert rotation. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to indulge in this sweet, moist treat!

Print