These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Are So Good, You’ll Want to Eat Them for Breakfast!

Why Make This Recipe?

If you love classic carrot cake but want something easier and faster, these Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect treat! They’re soft, moist, and packed with warm spices, shredded carrots, and crunchy nuts. The rich and tangy cream cheese frosting makes every bite heavenly. These bars are great for snacks, desserts, or even breakfast (because they have carrots, right?).

Recipe Overview

  • Servings: 12 bars
  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 30 minutes
  • Cooling Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

For the Carrot Cake Bars:

  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) grated carrots
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup (60g) raisins (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Combine: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
  5. Fold in Carrots and Add-ins: Stir in the grated carrots, nuts, and raisins (if using).

Step 2: Bake the Cake Bars

  1. Transfer to Baking Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
  2. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Beat the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until creamy.

Step 4: Assemble

  1. Frost the Cake Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
  2. Cut into Bars: Slice into 12 squares and enjoy!

How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars

  • Classic Style: Enjoy them as they are with a cup of tea or coffee.
  • Extra Garnish: Sprinkle chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top.
  • Drizzle Option: Add a light drizzle of honey or caramel for extra sweetness.

How to Store Carrot Cake Bars

  • Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Let frozen bars thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Tips to Make the Best Carrot Cake Bars

  • Grate the carrots finely for a soft texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing.
  • Don’t overmix the batter—mix just until combined.
  • Let the bars cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting.

Variation Ideas

  • Healthy Version: Swap half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and reduce the sugar slightly.
  • Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.
  • Spiced Up: Add ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for a bolder flavor.

Tips for Success

  • Use fresh, juicy carrots for the best flavor.
  • Chill the frosting for 10 minutes before spreading for easier application.
  • Toast the nuts before adding them to enhance their crunch and flavor.

How Many Servings?

This recipe makes 12 bars.

Calories and Nutrition Facts Per Serving

  • Calories: 280
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fats: 16g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sodium: 150mg

Health Benefits of Carrot Cake Bars

  • High in Vitamin A: Carrots are great for eye health.
  • Rich in Antioxidants: Nuts and cinnamon contain beneficial compounds.
  • Good for Digestion: Carrots and raisins add natural fiber.

Is It Good for People Over 60 Years Old?

Yes! These bars are soft and easy to chew, making them perfect for seniors. Plus, they provide vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats that support digestion, heart health, and overall well-being. To make them even healthier, reduce the sugar and use Greek yogurt instead of butter in the frosting.

FAQs

1. Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the bars up to 2 days in advance and store them in the fridge before frosting.

2. Can I use pre-shredded carrots?

It’s best to grate fresh carrots because pre-shredded ones are drier and won’t give the same moisture.

3. What can I use instead of cream cheese frosting?

You can use Greek yogurt frosting (Greek yogurt + honey + vanilla) for a lighter option.

These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are easy, moist, and packed with flavor! Try them today and tell us how they turned out!

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