Delicious Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Delicious and moist carrot cake bars featuring shredded carrots and a rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for a convenient twist on traditional carrot cake. These bars are easy to bake in a single pan and sliced for serving, making them an ideal treat for gatherings or an everyday dessert.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely shredded carrots (about 3–4 medium carrots)
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, then add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Incorporate Carrots and Dry Mix: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the shredded carrots ensuring they’re evenly distributed without overmixing the batter.
- Bake the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove from the oven and let the carrot cake bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy and fluffy.
- Frost and Slice: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake bars. Once frosted, slice into squares or bars and serve.
Notes
- You can add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a healthier option, substitute half the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: carrot cake bars, carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, baked dessert, carrot dessert