Description
These Carrot Cake Bars are an easy, no-fuss recipe that delivers perfectly spiced, soft, and chewy bars topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Ideal for dessert or a sweet snack, they combine warm spices with the natural sweetness of grated carrots for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup loosely packed finely grated carrots (~1-2 large carrots grated on the small holes of a box grater)
For the Frosting
- 4 oz. softened cream cheese
- 4 Tbsp. softened unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to easily lift the bars out after baking.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice until well combined. Set aside.
- Whisk Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, whisk melted butter and dark brown sugar until smooth and any clumps of sugar are dissolved.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Whisk in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients and Carrots: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients along with the grated carrots. Take care not to overmix; the batter will be thick and dense.
- Spread in Pan: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared pan. Although thick, use the parchment to help spread the batter smoothly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-20 minutes. Avoid overbaking as the bars will dry out; they will continue cooking slightly after removal. If the center is still very gooey, bake for a few more minutes as needed.
- Cool & Frost: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth using a hand mixer. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then beat again until creamy. If frosting is too thick, thin with a small splash of milk.
- Enjoy: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Optionally garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped walnuts. Slice into 9 bars and serve.
Notes
- Mix-ins: You can add about 1/2 cup of nuts or raisins to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
