Description
These moist, warmly spiced Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars are the perfect mix of comfort and indulgence. They’re packed with freshly grated carrots, topped with silky cream cheese frosting, and finished with a crunchy walnut sprinkle. Great for gatherings, meal prep, or a quick sweet snack, this easy recipe fits right into your list of quick breakfast options, healthy snack ideas, and dessert-worthy food ideas.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups freshly grated carrots
3/4 cup crushed walnuts
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
1/4 cup crushed walnuts (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until smooth. Add oil and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
4. Stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold in grated carrots and walnuts.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely.
6. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
7. Spread frosting over cooled cake, top with extra walnuts. Chill 30 minutes before slicing into 12 bars.
Notes
Make sure to grate carrots fresh for maximum moisture.
Let bars cool fully before frosting or the frosting will melt.
Chill after frosting for clean slicing and better texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: easy dessert, carrot cake bars, cream cheese frosting, healthy snack, food ideas