Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in these chewy carrot cake bars topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the carrot cake bars
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground ginger
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 cups vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil) Can substitute with melted coconut oil.
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Optional; consider toasting for added flavor.
For the cream cheese frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted Sift to eliminate lumps.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil and eggs until fluffy. Gradually combine this mixture with the dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fold in the shredded carrots and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Frosting
- While the bars cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting by mixing the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Once the bars have cooled, frost them with the cream cheese frosting and cut them into squares to serve.
Notes
These bars can be paired with coffee or tea and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to three months. Toasting the nuts and adding applesauce can enhance flavor and moisture. For variations, consider adding crushed pineapple or coconut flakes.