Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Introduction

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a decadent, moist, and spiced dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. These bars capture all the flavors of traditional carrot cake but are baked in a convenient bar form, topped with rich cream cheese frosting. They’re easy to serve and deliciously satisfying, making them a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

For the Carrot Cake Bars:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 cups grated carrots
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• ½ cup raisins (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, for creamier consistency)
• Chopped walnuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
3. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
4. Add Carrots and Mix-ins: Fold in the grated carrots, along with walnuts and raisins if using, until evenly distributed.
5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Add the heavy cream if you prefer a silkier texture, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
7. Frost and Garnish: Once the carrot cake bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Garnish with additional chopped walnuts if desired.
8. Slice and Serve: Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect dessert for those who love the flavors of carrot cake but prefer a more portable, easy-to-serve format. The combination of moist, spiced cake and rich cream cheese frosting makes this treat irresistible. Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate indulgence!

For more details, visit the full recipe

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