Description
Indulge in these moist and flavorful Decadent Carrot Cake Bars topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 4 large carrots)
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 0.5 cup butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a rectangular baking pan (about 9×13 inches).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, combine the oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped walnuts, and shredded coconut, if desired.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the bars cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled carrot cake bars.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure carrots are freshly grated for maximum moisture.
- White sugar adds sweetness, while brown sugar provides a deeper flavor.
- Vegetable oil can be substituted with another neutral oil.
- Room temperature eggs work best for better mixing.
- Chopped walnuts and shredded coconut are optional ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Carrot Cake Bars, Dessert, Easy Recipe, Cream Cheese Frosting