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Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
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5 from 23 reviews

These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining moist, spiced carrot cake layered with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for anytime snacking or special occasions, these bars deliver a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger until well combined to distribute the spices evenly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overmixing. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped walnuts carefully to incorporate all the textures uniformly.
  5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  6. Make the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar while beating continuously to create a creamy frosting. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor.
  7. Frost and Serve: Once the cake bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Optionally, garnish with additional chopped walnuts for added crunch and presentation. Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

  • To keep the bars moist, ensure not to overbake; start checking at 30 minutes.
  • Chopped walnuts can be omitted for nut-free variation or substituted with pecans.
  • Use fresh grated carrots for best texture and flavor.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Allow bars to come to room temperature before serving for optimal frosting texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese frosting, carrot dessert, easy carrot cake, spiced carrot bars

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/decadent-carrot-cake-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/