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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 102 reviews
  • Author: Andria
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the warm, cozy flavors of classic carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl in an easy-to-make, handheld bar form. Perfect for dessert lovers seeking a moist, flavorful treat that showcases freshly grated carrots and fragrant spices, all baked to perfection in a convenient 8×8-inch pan.

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to ensure easy removal and non-stick surface.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Allow it to cool slightly to prevent cooking the eggs in the next step.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the large egg, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and vanilla extract into the melted butter until well combined and smooth.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, then gently fold into the wet mixture to form a batter ensuring not to overmix.
  5. Incorporate Carrots: Fold in the freshly grated carrots evenly into the batter to add moisture and texture.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the egg yolk and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, creating the luscious swirl topping.
  7. Assemble the Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top and swirl gently with a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
  9. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours before lifting them out using the foil and slicing into squares. Cooling helps the bars to set properly and enhances flavor.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor in the bars.
  • Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb texture.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the swirl mixture.
  • Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to keep their shape intact.
  • Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot dessert, easy carrot cake, cream cheese swirl, homemade dessert bar

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Find it online: https://cookwithandria.com/irresistibly-indulgent-carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe/