Description
These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate treat for carrot cake lovers. Made with moist shredded carrots, warm cinnamon, and topped with rich, tangy frosting, this easy dessert bar recipe is perfect for gatherings, holidays, or an anytime sweet tooth fix. A simple and delicious carrot cake bar recipe that keeps well and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it well.
2. Peel and finely grate the carrots, then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until smooth.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
5. Fold in the grated carrots until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
8. In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
9. Spread frosting over cooled bars and slice into squares.
10. Serve immediately or chill for firmer frosting and cleaner cuts.
Notes
Peel the carrots before grating for best texture.
Let the bars cool fully before adding frosting.
Bars taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg