Description
These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the nostalgic flavors of a classic carrot cake with the convenience of bars, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying as a cozy treat. Moist grated carrots add natural sweetness and nutrition, while the tender cake batter is enhanced by warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A luscious cream cheese swirl on top adds a tangy creaminess that perfectly complements the cake’s richness. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients and baked to perfection, these bars are a delightful dessert or snack that sneak in some veggies in a delicious way.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Batter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup freshly grated carrots
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Let it cool slightly so it’s warm but not hot to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Sugar: To the melted butter, whisk in one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined without overmixing.
- Incorporate Carrots: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots evenly into the batter, which will add moisture and natural sweetness.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with one large egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. This cooling step is crucial to let the bars set fully for easy slicing. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the foil and cut into squares.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and moisture; pre-shredded carrots may be drier.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and an even swirl.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the bars tender.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Allow bars to cool completely for clean slices and perfect texture.
- Store leftover bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot cake cream cheese bars, easy carrot cake recipe, dessert bars, cream cheese swirl dessert
