Description
Irresistible Carrot Cake Bars blend classic comfort with modern baking charm. Warm spices and cream cheese frosting create a delightful dessert that wraps you in sweet, homemade nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 ½ cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
- Sift together flour, leavening agents, warm spices, and a pinch of salt in a pristine mixing bowl, creating a harmonious dry ingredient blend.
- Whisk eggs with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a silky, pale emulsion.
- Incorporate vegetable oil and aromatic vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, blending until uniformly combined.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using delicate strokes to prevent overworking the batter.
- Introduce freshly grated carrots into the batter, followed by optional chopped walnuts and plump raisins, distributing evenly throughout.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an even texture.
- Slide the pan into a preheated 350F (175C) oven, baking for approximately 25-30 minutes until a wooden skewer emerges clean when inserted.
- Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, letting the residual heat stabilize the delicate structure.
- Craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping softened cream cheese and butter until luxuriously smooth.
- Gradually sift powdered sugar into the creamy base, incorporating vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Once the cake has cooled, lavishly spread the frosting across the surface, creating swirls and peaks.
- Slice into precise squares and serve immediately, or refrigerate to maintain freshness for up to five days.
Notes
- Grate carrots using the fine side of a box grater for the most tender and evenly distributed carrot pieces throughout the bars.
- Choose room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smoother mixing and better texture in both the cake and frosting.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same delightful texture and taste.
- Add extra warmth and depth by toasting chopped walnuts or pecans before folding them into the batter, which enhances their nutty flavor and provides a delicious crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 253
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 177 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg