Hey y'all! If you're searching for a sweet treat that combines the spiced goodness of classic carrot cake with the simplicity of a bar, you've just found your new favorite dessert. These Carrot Cake Bars are ultra-moist, brimming with warm spices, and topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for potlucks, family celebrations, or just when you want to brighten up your week, these easy bars come together in no time and deliver pure comfort in every bite. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This
- Super moist and flavorful, thanks to freshly grated carrots and warm spices.
- Quick and easy—no special skills or equipment needed.
- Bars slice perfectly for sharing at parties or picnics.
- Rich cream cheese frosting takes these bars totally over the top.
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins like nuts or raisins!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
- Grate your carrots and set them aside. Chop walnuts if using.
Make the Carrot Cake Bar Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir just until no streaks remain—don’t overmix.
- Fold in grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
Bake
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 23-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until light and fluffy.
Frost and Serve
- Spread frosting over cooled bars. Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang, slice into squares, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the bars are completely cool before adding frosting to prevent melting.
- Grate carrots fresh by hand for the best moisture and texture—avoid pre-shredded bagged carrots.
- If you don’t have walnuts, pecans or no nuts at all work just as deliciously.
Variations
- Pineapple Twist: Fold in ¼ cup drained crushed pineapple for tropical flavor.
- Spiced Raisin: Add ⅓ cup golden or regular raisins for extra bursts of sweetness.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Required Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Grater (for the carrots)
- Hand mixer or stand mixer (for frosting)
Storage Instructions
- Keep carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Bars can be frozen (without frosting) for up to 2 months; thaw and frost before serving.
- Let chilled bars sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying for softer texture.
Serving Recommendations
- Pair with hot coffee, spiced chai, or a glass of cold milk for a perfect treat.
- Sprinkle extra chopped walnuts or a pinch of cinnamon on top for a festive touch.
- Serve with fresh fruit like pineapple or orange slices for a bright finish.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the bars soft and tender.
- Line your pan with parchment for easy lifting and perfect slices every time.
- For an extra creamy frosting, allow your cream cheese and butter to come fully to room temperature before beating.
FAQ
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! Bake and frost the bars a day in advance; just store them in the fridge until ready to serve.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Double all ingredients and bake in a 9x13-inch pan for about 27-32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Can I make these bars dairy-free?
Yes—use a dairy-free cream cheese and buttery spread for the frosting.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yields: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
-
2Grate your carrots and set them aside. Chop walnuts if using.
-
3In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
-
4Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir just until no streaks remain—don’t overmix.
-
5Fold in grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
-
6Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 23-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
7Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
-
8In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until light and fluffy.
-
9Spread frosting over cooled bars. Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang, slice into squares, and enjoy!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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