Description
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, moist, and perfectly spiced with warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. Topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting, these bars are a crowd-pleasing twist on the classic carrot cake—easy to make and even easier to love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until well combined.
- Stir in the dry ingredients just until incorporated, then fold in grated carrots and nuts (if using).
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Meanwhile, prepare the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix until creamy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For extra texture, add raisins or shredded coconut to the batter.
- Chill the bars after frosting for cleaner cuts.
- Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese frosting, easy carrot dessert, moist carrot cake, spiced dessert bars