Description
These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars are soft, spiced, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, they’re a crowd-pleasing dessert bar that gets even better the next day.
Ingredients
2 cups freshly grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Stir in the freshly grated carrots until evenly combined.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in walnuts if using.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cool the bars completely before frosting.
8. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
9. Spread frosting over the cooled bars and top with extra walnuts if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Let bars cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the icing.
Chill before slicing for clean edges and easy serving.
Use freshly grated carrots for best moisture and flavor—pre-shredded ones won’t do the trick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg