Description
These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting offer a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake, delivering moist, spiced layers topped with a rich, creamy frosting. Perfect for casual gatherings or dessert anytime, these bars are easy to prepare and satisfyingly flavorful with optional crunchy walnuts or pecans.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in grated carrots and chopped nuts if using.
- Bake the Carrot Cake Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before applying frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar in increments, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Frost & Serve: Once the carrot cake bars are fully cooled, evenly spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. Cut into squares or bars, garnish with additional chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch but can be omitted for nut-free version.
- Parchment paper with overhang makes it easier to lift bars out of the pan for cutting.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
- For a stronger spice flavor, increase cinnamon or add a pinch of ground ginger.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
