Description
Indulge in these decadent carrot cake bars with a luscious cream cheese frosting that are perfect for any occasion. Moist and flavorful, they are sure to become a favorite dessert for your family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
For the bars:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together eggs, sugars, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the carrots, pineapple, and nuts (if using).
- Bake: Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.
- Frost the bars: Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, cut into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate for easier slicing and firmer frosting.
- Store bars in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Toast the nuts for extra flavor or omit for a nut-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
