Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you love carrot cake, but want something a little more fun and portable, these Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are everything. They’re moist, sweet, and bursting with warm, spiced flavor, all wrapped up in a simple, easy-to-make bar form. And don’t even get me started on the cream cheese frosting—it’s the perfect tangy-sweet topping that just takes these bars over the top. Whether you’re serving them at a gathering or treating yourself (no judgment here), these bars are going to be your new go-to dessert.

Why You’ll Love Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe is an absolute winner, and here’s why:

• So Easy to Make: Skip the layers and the hassle of a whole cake. These bars are simple to whip up, and you won’t have to worry about frosting layers perfectly. Just bake, frost, and go!
• Moist and Flavorful: With the perfect balance of spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—these bars are full of rich flavor. Plus, the carrots keep everything moist and tender.
• Topped with Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese frosting isn’t too sweet, just the right amount of tanginess to complement the richness of the carrot cake. It’s what carrot cake dreams are made of!
• Portable and Shareable: These bars are great for taking to parties, potlucks, or simply sharing with friends and family. Easy to cut and serve, they’re the perfect handheld treat.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Easter, a birthday, or just a Tuesday, these carrot cake bars fit right into any celebration or casual dessert craving.

Ingredients

Let’s break down what you’ll need to bring these bars to life:

Carrots: The star of the show! Freshly grated carrots add sweetness, moisture, and a beautiful texture to the bars.

Flour: All-purpose flour is the base that holds everything together. It gives the bars their structure and helps them bake to perfection.

Sugar: A mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the cake, making it soft and irresistible.

Eggs: They help bind everything together and make the bars fluffy.

Oil: Vegetable or canola oil is the secret to moist, tender bars. It keeps them from being too dense while still holding all that flavor.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These help the bars rise to the perfect texture, giving them just the right lift.

Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger add that warm, cozy carrot cake flavor we all know and love.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavor, making everything just a little bit richer.

Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

Cream Cheese: This is the creamy base for the frosting. It adds that irresistible tangy flavor.

Butter: Softened butter brings richness to the frosting and helps make it smooth and spreadable.

Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting while also helping it achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.

Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla makes the frosting even more delightful and adds extra depth.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s get to baking these delicious bars!

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or greasing it lightly. This ensures the bars don’t stick and come out perfectly.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set it aside.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs, and oil until smooth and combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.

4. Add the Carrots: Stir in the grated carrots, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. The carrots are going to give these bars that lovely moisture and texture.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy. That’s what makes the bars tender!

6. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.

7. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the bars are cooling, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

8. Frost the Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can either smooth it out with a spatula or swirl it on for a more rustic look.

9. Slice and Serve: Cut into squares and serve! These bars are perfect for sharing or enjoying all on your own (no judgment here!).

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 350

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These carrot cake bars are delicious on their own, but here are a few fun ways to serve them:

• With a Hot Drink: Pair with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat. The spices in the cake and the tangy frosting are the perfect balance with your favorite warm drink.
• For Dessert Parties: These bars are an easy addition to a dessert spread. They’re portable, shareable, and sure to disappear quickly.
• With a Scoop of Ice Cream: Want to take it to the next level? Serve a warm slice of these bars with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream on top.
• Add a Sprinkle of Nuts: For a little crunch, top your frosted bars with chopped walnuts or pecans. It adds a lovely contrast to the creamy frosting and soft cake.

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips to make these carrot cake bars even more amazing:

• Grate Your Carrots Finely: For the best texture, grate the carrots finely. It helps them integrate into the batter better and keeps the bars moist.
• Chill the Frosting: If your frosting feels too soft to spread, chill it in the fridge for 15 minutes. This helps it firm up and makes it easier to spread over the bars.
• Add Raisins or Nuts: If you like raisins or nuts in your carrot cake, feel free to fold in some chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins into the batter before baking.
• Storage Tips: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They also freeze beautifully—just wrap them individually and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can bake the bars and store them without frosting for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, just frost them before cutting and enjoying.

Q2: Can I make this recipe without cream cheese frosting?
A2: Absolutely! If you prefer, you can skip the cream cheese frosting and enjoy these bars with a simple glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Q3: Can I make these bars in a different size pan?
A3: If you use a different size pan, be sure to adjust the baking time. A smaller pan will require a longer baking time, while a larger pan will reduce the baking time.

Q4: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A4: Yes! You can swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be amazing.

Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual bars for up to 3 months.

Q6: Can I use a different frosting?
A6: Absolutely! If you prefer a different frosting, you could try a simple buttercream or even a whipped cream frosting for a lighter option.

Q7: Can I make these bars dairy-free?
A7: Yes! You can make a dairy-free version by using non-dairy butter and a dairy-free cream cheese substitute for the frosting.

Q8: Can I add pineapple to the batter?
A8: Sure! Adding crushed pineapple to the batter gives the bars a little extra moisture and tropical flavor. Just make sure to drain the pineapple before adding it.

Q9: Can I double the recipe?
A9: Yes! Simply double the ingredients and bake in a larger pan. Keep an eye on the baking time, as it may take a little longer.

Q10: How do I know when the bars are done?
A10: The bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. If it comes out wet with batter, they need more time.

Conclusion

These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and creaminess. They’re easy to make, deliciously moist, and topped with the most dreamy frosting. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, these bars are sure to be a hit every time. Enjoy!

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