Description
Indulge in delicious Carrot Cake Bars – a perfect treat for any occasion. Discover this easy recipe now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups finely grated fresh carrots
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray. This preparation ensures your carrot cake bars will release perfectly and maintain their shape when cut.
- Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This pre-mixing distributes the leavening agents and spices evenly throughout the batter, ensuring consistent flavor and texture in every bite of your carrot cake bars.
- Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture becomes lighter in color and slightly fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. This thorough mixing creates the foundation for moist, tender bars.
- Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few small streaks of flour are preferable to tough bars!
- Step 5: Add Carrots and Mix-ins Fold in the freshly grated carrots, chopped nuts, and raisins (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The carrots will release moisture during baking, creating that signature moist texture that makes carrot cake bars so irresistible.
- Step 6: Bake to Perfection Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Don’t overbake – these bars should remain moist!
- Step 7: Prepare the Frosting While the bars cool, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low speed initially to avoid a sugar cloud. Mix in the vanilla and salt, then increase speed to medium and beat until light and creamy.
- Step 8: Frost and Finish Once the bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For an extra-special touch, sprinkle additional chopped walnuts around the perimeter. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the frosting before cutting into squares or rectangles.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg