If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that feels like a warm, cozy hug in every bite, look no further than this delightful Carrot Cake Bars Recipe. It takes all the fragrant spices, tender sweetness, and luscious cream cheese frosting of a classic carrot cake and transforms them into easy-to-handle, perfectly portioned bars that are as irresistible as they are convenient. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a delicious snack, these carrot cake bars deliver that heavenly balance of moist texture and rich flavor with every single bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making this recipe shine. Each component plays a crucial role, from the warm spices to the fresh carrots, contributing to the unique taste, cozy aroma, and moist texture that make these bars so special.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): This forms the base of the batter, providing structure to your bars without weighing them down.
- Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons): The heart of the spice mix, adding a warm, sweet, and slightly woody note.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and spice perfectly.
- Ground nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice (1/4 teaspoon each): These spices round out the flavor profile, delivering that traditional carrot cake aroma.
- Unsalted butter, melted (3/4 cup): Adds richness and tenderness to the crumb.
- Dark brown sugar (1 1/4 cups, packed): Provides deep molasses notes and moisture to the bars.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Help bind ingredients and create a tender, cake-like texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Adds a sweet, fragrant aroma enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Finely grated carrots (1 1/4 cups): The star ingredient—fresh, sweet, and providing natural moisture and texture.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): For that silky, tangy frosting that’s the perfect finishing touch.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons, softened): Combines with cream cheese to make the frosting luxuriously smooth.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting into a creamy delight.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the frosting a delicate, sweet scent and flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness in the frosting and brightens overall taste.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or give it a light grease—this helps the bars come out in one perfect piece without sticking. Taking this quick prep step ensures smooth sailing later on.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. This blend of spices infuses every bite with that classic, comforting carrot cake flavor, while distributing the flour evenly prevents clumps and guarantees a tender crumb.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and dark brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined. This mixture will become your flavorful, moist base—getting it smooth here is key for that luscious texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Carrots
Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined—overmixing can make the bars dense, so take it easy! Finally, fold in the finely grated carrots for that natural sweetness and delightful little bursts of moist texture.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Test by inserting a toothpick near the center—when it comes out clean, your bars are ready! Let the pan cool completely before moving on to frosting.
Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until silky smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, then continue beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistible.
Step 7: Frost and Cut
Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Use a sharp knife to cut the large slab into 16 bars, and get ready to enjoy—these are best served slightly chilled or at room temperature.
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Add a little extra flair to your carrot cake bars by sprinkling chopped toasted walnuts or pecans on top of the frosting right before it sets. A light dusting of cinnamon or a few edible flowers can also brighten up the presentation and introduce subtle aromatic notes.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of milk for a classic treat. If you want to get fancy, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some lightly whipped cream for a decadent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or gifts, stack these bars in a decorative tin layered with parchment paper, or arrange them neatly on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh carrot sticks and nuts to highlight the farm-fresh roots of the recipe. You can also drizzle a bit of honey or caramel sauce over each for extra sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Carrot cake bars stay moist and delicious stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping them chilled helps the frosting hold its shape and keeps your bars tasting fresh and scrumptious.
Freezing
If you want to make these bars in advance, you can freeze them without frosting for up to 3 months. Wrap the baked bars tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and frost just before serving.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, but if you prefer them a little warmer, gently heat a single bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid microwaving too long or the frosting may soften excessively.
FAQs
Can I use shredded carrots from a bag instead of grating fresh ones?
Yes, pre-shredded carrots work fine as long as they are finely grated or shredded to blend well in the batter. Just make sure they are fresh and well-drained if they seem watery.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture may be slightly different but will still be delicious.
How long do the carrot cake bars last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for about 4 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, the cream cheese frosting can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a quick stir before spreading on the bars.
Are these bars suitable for a kid’s lunchbox?
Definitely! These bars are moist, not overly sweet, and the cream cheese frosting adds a fun treat factor, making them a wholesome and tasty lunchbox addition or afternoon snack.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly comforting about homemade carrot cake, and this Carrot Cake Bars Recipe lets you enjoy that classic flavor in an easy, portable form. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends and family, these bars always bring smiles and warm compliments. So grab your grater and mixing bowls, and dive into this wonderful recipe—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Carrot Cake Bars are a deliciously moist and spiced treat, perfect for a snack or dessert. Made with grated carrots and aromatic spices, then topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, these bars bring all the classic carrot cake flavors into an easy-to-make, handheld dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups loosely packed finely grated carrots (about 1–2 large carrots, grated using the small holes of a box grater)
Frosting Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice until evenly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled butter with the dark brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add dry to wet: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Then fold in the finely grated carrots evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost bars: Once the bars have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is slightly cooled after melting to prevent cooking the eggs when mixing.
- Grate the carrots finely to ensure even distribution and moist texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- The bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting for best results.
