Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you adore the cozy flavors of a classic carrot dessert, you are absolutely going to love this Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These bars bring together the perfect balance of moist grated carrots, warming spices, and a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s just the right level of sweet and tangy. It’s your favorite carrot cake experience, made easy to slice, share, and enjoy anytime you crave something comforting and delightful. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just treating yourself, these bars are sure to become a household favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is what makes this recipe not only accessible but truly special. Each item has a key role to play: from the spices that bring warmth and depth, to the carrots that add natural sweetness and moisture, and of course the cream cheese frosting that finishes the bars with a creamy dreaminess.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb to the bars.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give the bars a light rise for perfect texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavor of the spices.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Add warmth and that signature carrot cake spice profile.
• Unsalted butter, melted: Brings richness and moisture, making each bite buttery and soft.
• Granulated and brown sugars: The blend of sugars creates depth with a slight caramel note.
• Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the bars’ tender texture.
• Vanilla extract: Lifts the flavor with sweet, aromatic notes.
• Grated carrots: The star of the show, they add moisture, color, and natural sweetness.
• Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Introduce a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
• Raisins (optional): Provide bursts of chewiness and extra sweetness.
• Cream cheese, softened: The base of the frosting, creamy and tangy.
• Unsalted butter, softened (for frosting): Adds silkiness and helps the frosting hold its shape.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting to perfection.

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan. Getting the pan ready ahead of time ensures that your batter won’t stick and will bake evenly, making your life easier when it’s time to slice those bars.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This dry spice mixture is the foundation of your carrot cake bars, infusing each bite with that classic, comforting flavor.

Step 3: Combine Sugars and Butter

Next, in a large bowl, mix the melted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until smooth and well combined. This step ensures that your base is rich and sweet, setting up the perfect environment for the eggs and vanilla to shine.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. These ingredients add moisture and help bind the batter, guaranteeing those bars hold together perfectly while remaining tender.

Step 5: Bring Dry and Wet Ingredients Together

Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, so it’s important to stop as soon as everything is incorporated.

Step 6: Fold in Carrots, Nuts, and Raisins

Now it’s time to add the grated carrots. Fold them in carefully, along with your choice of chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins if using. This adds moisture, texture, and bursts of flavor that make these bars unforgettable.

Step 7: Bake the Bars

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, then bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This bake time ensures a moist and tender bar without any soggy middle.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling fully is essential before frosting so the cream cheese topping doesn’t melt or slide off.

Step 9: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars are cooling, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Then gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until your frosting is fluffy and luscious.

Step 10: Frost the Bars

Finally, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake bars using a spatula. The frosting adds that iconic tangy sweetness that makes carrot cake bars so irresistible.

How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a few chopped walnuts, a light dusting of cinnamon, or even a few finely grated carrot shreds on top for an inviting presentation. These thoughtful touches add texture and a pop of color that’s sure to impress whoever you share these bars with.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk for a classic pairing. For a brunch spread, pair them with fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to balance the richness of the frosting.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the bars into bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative platter for parties or add a playful swirl of additional cream cheese frosting on each piece with a piping bag. You can even layer individual bars with whipped cream and extra nuts to create mini carrot cake parfaits.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, cover the carrot cake bars tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They keep beautifully at room temperature for up to two days, but storing them in the fridge extends their freshness to about a week.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these delicious bars later, you can freeze them either frosted or unfrosted. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

For a freshly baked taste, let the bars come to room temperature or warm an unfrosted bar for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Avoid heating the bars with frosting on to keep the cream cheese topping intact and creamy.

FAQs

Can I substitute the nuts or raisins?

Absolutely! If you have allergies or prefer a different flavor, feel free to omit the nuts and raisins or try alternatives like dried cranberries or chopped dates. The recipe is versatile and still delicious without them.

What can I use instead of cream cheese for frosting?

You can substitute with Greek yogurt mixed with a little honey for a tangy lighter frosting, or use a simple vanilla glaze made with powdered sugar and milk. However, cream cheese frosting gives that signature richness that pairs perfectly with carrot cake.

How do I grate carrots quickly?

A box grater works great, but for quicker results, a food processor fitted with a grating blade can shred carrots effortlessly—just be careful not to over-process them into a mushy texture.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Just make sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to maintain the texture of the bars.

Why is my carrot cake bar dry?

Dryness usually comes from overbaking or using too much flour. Keep an eye on baking time and measure your flour carefully, spooning it into the cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly comforting and joyful about making and sharing this Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Its simplicity combined with that irresistible blend of spices, tender carrot texture, and luscious frosting makes it a standout treat for any occasion. I encourage you to try this recipe, whether for a cozy family weekend or to impress guests with a delightful homemade dessert that brings smiles with every bite.

Print