Description
Indulge in these delicious Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting for a delightful treat that perfectly balances sweet and spiced flavors. These bars are moist, flavorful, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that takes them to the next level.
Ingredients
Scale
For the bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the grated carrots.
- Combine ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the nuts if using.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.
- Frost the bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Slice and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut to the batter.
- Store bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
