The Ultimate Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen sparked my love for classic carrot cake bars that blend nostalgia with comfort.

Warm spices and tender carrots create a magical harmony in this delightful dessert.

Soft, moist textures promise a heavenly bite that melts in your mouth.

cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious layer of creamy decadence to each slice.

Rich ingredients dance together, promising a treat that feels both familiar and exciting.

Crumbly yet smooth, these bars capture the essence of homemade goodness.

Bake these and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Insights

• Simplify Baking: Create delicious carrot cake bars with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting to impress family and friends.
• Customize with Ease: Add or remove nuts and raisins to match personal taste preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for everyone.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Delivers a classic flavor combination that appeals to all ages, from kids to grandparents, ensuring everyone enjoys a sweet treat.
• Quick Comfort Cooking: Prepare a homemade dessert faster than buying from a bakery, with straightforward steps that guarantee a delightful result every single time.

Ingredients for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• All-Purpose Flour: A base ingredient that provides structure to the carrot cake bars.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and classic flavor to the carrot cake.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a rich, aromatic flavor to the cake.

• Carrots: The star ingredient that gives moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.
• Nuts, Raisins: Optional add-ins that provide texture and additional flavor.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.

How to Bake Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a light spray of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt

Blend these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Whip these ingredients until they’re smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Create the Cake Batter

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined – don’t overmix!

This keeps the bars tender and light.

Step 5: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

• Freshly grated carrots
• Chopped nuts
• Raisins (optional)

Stir these in gently to distribute evenly throughout the batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Cool Down

Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.

Patience is key for the perfect frosting surface!

Step 8: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Softened butter

Cream these until they’re silky smooth and free of lumps.

Step 9: Finish the Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Continue beating until the frosting is fluffy, light, and irresistibly creamy.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Spread the luscious cream cheese frosting over the completely cooled carrot cake bars.

Slice into squares and watch them disappear! These bars are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Tips for Moist Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Squeeze excess liquid from grated carrots to prevent soggy bars and ensure a perfectly tender texture.
• Replace nuts with seeds or omit completely for nut-free versions, keeping the cake's delightful crunch intact.
• Chill cream cheese frosting briefly before spreading to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency that won't tear the delicate cake surface.
• Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to enhance the warm spice profile and create a more complex taste experience.
• Refrigerate bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer taste over time.

Flavor Options for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same moist texture.
• Vegan Carrot Cake Bars: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and swap cream cheese frosting with cashew-based frosting for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Carrot Cake Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, reduce overall sweetness while keeping the classic carrot cake flavor profile.
• Nutless Carrot Cake Bars: Omit nuts for those with allergies, add extra raisins or coconut flakes for additional texture and flavor complexity.

Best Pairings for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet Carrot Cake Companions

Dark roast or espresso cuts through the cake’s sweetness, creating a rich, balanced taste experience with complementary depth.

Creamy chai latte enhances the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, providing a harmonious and comforting drinking companion.

Sweet dessert wines like Riesling or Moscato beautifully highlight the cake’s nutty and fruity undertones, adding elegant complexity.

Crisp, cold milk neutralizes the cream cheese frosting’s richness, offering a classic and satisfying palate cleanser.

Storing Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Correctly

• Store frosted carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
• Wrap cooled bars individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before adding frosting.
• Place bars on baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bag. Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator for best texture.
• Warm refrigerated bars at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. For a slightly warm treat, microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds on low power.

FAQs

• What are the key spices in this carrot cake bars recipe?

Cinnamon and nutmeg are the primary warm spices that give these carrot cake bars their classic, comforting flavor profile and aromatic depth.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version of these delicious carrot cake bars.

• Are nuts mandatory in this recipe?

No, nuts are optional. You can easily omit them if you have allergies or prefer a smoother texture in your carrot cake bars.

• How do I know when the carrot cake bars are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the bars are fully baked and ready to cool and frost.

Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent carrot cake bars bring warmth and comfort from grandma’s kitchen, promising a delightful blend of spices and sweetness. Creamy cream cheese frosting crowns these moist, perfectly spiced bars that you’ll crave from first bite to last.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (150 g) finely grated carrots
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-Ins:

• 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup (80 g) raisins

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease or parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
3. In a separate large bowl, vigorously blend eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
5. Carefully fold in grated carrots, chopped nuts, and optional raisins, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and create an even surface.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully baked.
8. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, which prevents condensation and maintains the cake’s texture.
9. For the frosting, cream together softened cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
11. Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
12. Slice into individual bars and serve at room temperature.

Notes

• Choose room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Grate carrots finely to ensure even distribution and prevent chunky patches in the bars.
• Replace nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for nut-free version, maintaining similar crunch and nutrition.
• Use whole wheat flour or gluten-free blend to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 105 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg