Description
These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the warm, cozy flavors of traditional carrot cake with the creamy tang of a luscious cream cheese swirl. Perfectly moist and tender, these bars bake up quickly and are easy to slice for sharing. They’re a delightful handheld dessert that sneaks in the nutrition of fresh carrots, making them a nostalgic yet convenient treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrot Cake Batter
- 1 cup light brown sugar – adds deep, caramel-like sweetness to the cake
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt – enhances the flavors of all the ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – brings warmth and depth
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – provides structure
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – adds a cozy, warming spice
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg – adds a hint of earthiness
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder – ensures light, airy texture
- 1 large egg – binds ingredients together
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter – creates a tender crumb
- 1 cup freshly grated carrots – adds moisture and nutrition
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened – provides a creamy, tangy swirl
- 1 large egg yolk – adds richness
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar – sweetens the cream cheese mixture
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt 0.5 cup of unsalted butter for about 1 minute. Allow it to cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients.
- Mix Wet Ingredients for Batter: Whisk the melted butter with 1 large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Carrots: Fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots evenly to ensure moisture and texture throughout the batter.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 large egg yolk, and 0.5 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Layer and Swirl: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the foil edges and slice into squares for serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is slightly cooled before mixing with egg to avoid curdling.
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor.
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to make it gluten-free, but texture may vary.
- For a stronger spice flavor, increase cinnamon or nutmeg slightly.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot dessert, easy carrot cake, baked carrot bars, cream cheese swirl, homemade carrot cake bars
