Name: Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots; 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained); 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional); 1/2 cup raisins (optional); 4 oz cream cheese (softened); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you love classic carrot cake but want something a little easier and more portable, Carrot Cake Bars are truly the answer to your dessert dreams. These irresistible bars pack all the warm spices, sweet carrots, and zippy cream cheese frosting of your favorite layer cake into a slice-and-share treat that comes together in under an hour. The soft, moist crumb and burst of flavors—think hints of cinnamon, the tang of pineapple, and a melty swirl of nuts or raisins—make these bars perfect for everything from spring holidays to everyday snacking. Get ready to turn a timeless favorite into your go-to traybake!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Carrot Cake Bars lies in just how streamlined and wholesome the ingredient list is. Each item plays a crucial role, from providing structure and warmth to adding moisture or that crunch factor everyone loves. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

All-purpose flour: The base of your bars, giving structure without being too dense.
Baking soda & baking powder: These leaveners team up for the perfect lift and tenderness.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the sweet, spice notes.
Ground cinnamon & nutmeg: These spices bring that familiar carrot cake warmth and aroma.
Eggs: Bind everything together and deliver richness to the bars.
Vegetable oil: For that classic moist, tender crumb you want in every bite.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds depth and a subtle caramel flavor.
Granulated sugar: Boosts sweetness and helps with structure.
Vanilla extract: Layers in sweetness, rounds out the spices.
Finely grated carrots: The star of the show, for moisture, color, and a subtle earthiness.
Crushed pineapple (drained): Adds tang, moisture, and keeps the bars light and luscious.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For crunch and that nutty complement to all the sweetness.
Raisins (optional): Little pops of chewy sweetness in every bar.
Cream cheese (softened): The base of our luscious, tangy frosting.
Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the frosting extra creamy and rich.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and fluffs the frosting for that silky finish.
Vanilla extract (for frosting): Just a touch rounds out the tang of the cream cheese.

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper so you can easily lift out your Carrot Cake Bars once they’ve cooled. Gather all of your ingredients—measuring and prepping now makes things so much smoother once you get baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of spices and leaveners, giving every bite a wonderful flavor and perfect rise.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, vegetable oil, both sugars, and vanilla extract. You want everything thoroughly combined and just starting to thicken, as this will add to your bars’ moist, light texture.

Step 4: Add Carrots and Pineapple

Fold the finely grated carrots and well-drained crushed pineapple into your egg mixture. These not only bring beautiful color and natural sweetness, but also guarantee your bars will be tender and moist—not dry or crumbly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Bases

Stir the flour mixture gently into the wet mix, just until no dry streaks of flour remain. Don’t overmix here—a few lumps are okay and ensure the bars turn out soft. If you love nuts or raisins, stir them in at this point for extra flavor and texture.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Pop it in the oven for 25–30 minutes. You’ll know the Carrot Cake Bars are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let them cool completely in the pan before you frost—trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Step 7: Make & Spread the Cream Cheese Frosting

To whip up the frosting, beat your softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until they’re light and airy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by a dash of vanilla extract, until the mixture is smooth and velvety. Once your Carrot Cake Bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. For those gorgeous, tidy slices, pop the pan in the fridge for a bit before cutting.

How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars

Garnishes

For an extra touch of elegance (and a flash of flavor), sprinkle the frosted bars with finely chopped walnuts or pecans, a light dusting of ground cinnamon, or even orange zest. If you want to go all out, a few thinly shredded carrot curls will add beautiful color and hint at what’s inside!

Side Dishes

Since these Carrot Cake Bars are rich yet balanced, they shine alongside lighter offerings—think a bowl of fresh berries or a fruit salad. For an afternoon treat, pair with a strong cup of coffee or a chai latte, and for festive gatherings, a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream is pure heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t be afraid to get playful! Serve your Carrot Cake Bars cut into triangles for a twist, or stack them into little towers with layers of frosting between. You can even cube and skewer them as party bites, or arrange elegantly on a tiered platter for a special occasion brunch spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Carrot Cake Bars store beautifully! Simply cover the bars tightly or transfer them to an airtight container, then refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days, with the flavors deepening over time—making them even better day two and beyond.

Freezing

Yes, these bars freeze like a dream. Place cut bars (frosted or unfrosted) on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

If you like your Carrot Cake Bars a touch warm, a quick zap in the microwave (about 10–15 seconds per bar) brings them delightfully close to freshly baked, with a soft cake and just-melted frosting. Just don’t overheat, or the frosting may lose its shape.

FAQs

Can I make Carrot Cake Bars without nuts or raisins?

Absolutely! Both nuts and raisins are completely optional. If you prefer just the classic carrot cake flavors, feel free to leave them out—your bars will still be moist, flavorful, and perfect.

Why add pineapple to Carrot Cake Bars?

Crushed pineapple brings extra moisture, subtle tang, and enhances the sweetness, helping you achieve bars that are never dry. You won’t exactly taste the pineapple itself, but you’ll love the irresistible texture it creates!

Can I make Carrot Cake Bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour with a good 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure. The bars come out just as lovely and delicious for gluten-free friends.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The best way is to insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (but no raw batter), they’re done! Remember, every oven runs a little differently, so start checking at 25 minutes.

Can I double the recipe for a party?

Definitely! Double all ingredients and bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan. The bake time may be a touch longer, so keep an eye out and use the toothpick method to test for doneness. More Carrot Cake Bars means more smiles!

Final Thoughts

Carrot Cake Bars are that cozy, crowd-pleasing treat you’ll want to make again and again—simple to prepare, loaded with flavor, and guaranteed to make any table look a little brighter. Whether it’s for a holiday celebration or just a quiet coffee break, try baking a batch soon and watch them disappear!

Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these delicious Carrot Cake Bars topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, these moist and flavorful bars are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugars, and vanilla until well combined. Fold in the grated carrots and crushed pineapple. Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Add nuts and raisins if using.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mix until creamy. Spread evenly over the cooled bars. Chill before slicing for cleaner cuts.