Description
Before you begin, gather the following ingredients for the carrot cake bars. These measurements are for about 24 bars (depending on the size you cut them), and they’ll give you the perfect balance of flavor and texture:
Ingredients
1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
½ teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of salt
2 large eggs
½ cup of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 ½ cups of finely grated carrots
1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until smooth and combined. Then, mix in the oil and vanilla extract.
4. Stir in the grated carrots, drained crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is incorporated. Do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
7. Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
8. While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, then beat until smooth and fluffy.
9. Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes before cutting for neater slices.
10. Slice into squares or bars, serve, and enjoy this moist, flavorful dessert!
Notes
– 🥕 Grate the carrots finely to ensure they blend smoothly into the batter and keep the bars extra moist.
– 🍍 Don’t skip the crushed pineapple — it adds natural sweetness and incredible moisture. Make sure it’s well-drained to avoid a soggy batter.
– 🧁 For a thicker frosting layer, double the cream cheese frosting ingredients.
– 🌰 Walnuts or pecans are optional but add a delicious crunch. Toast them lightly beforehand for extra flavor.
– ❄️ These bars are best chilled for a bit before serving — it helps the frosting set and makes cutting easier.
– 🔄 You can bake this recipe in an 8×8-inch pan for thicker bars; just add 3–5 more minutes to the baking time.
– 🧊 Store in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 5 days. Freeze (unfrosted) for up to 2 months.
– 🧡 These bars taste even better the next day once the flavors have settled!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (out of 24)
- Calories: 210 calories
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg