Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Carrot Cake Bars topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Packed with warm spices and shredded carrots, these bars offer the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making a delicious treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup shredded carrots
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine & Fold: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the shredded carrots to incorporate them evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour and spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Frost & Serve: Once the carrot cake bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into bars and serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Ensure the carrot cake bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and moisture.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar by half.
- Store the carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
