🥕🍰 Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: The Perfect Sweet Treat for Every Occasion
If you love the rich, spiced flavor of carrot cake but want a simpler, easier way to enjoy it, these Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are your new best friend. Soft, moist, and packed with wholesome shredded carrots and warm spices, these bars are topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that takes every bite to the next level.
Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, afternoon snacks, or just because you deserve a little sweet indulgence, these bars offer all the classic carrot cake goodness — without the hassle of slicing and layering a traditional cake.
🥕 Why Choose Carrot Cake Bars?
Carrot cake is a beloved classic known for its moist texture and flavorful spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Turning it into bars makes it easy to serve, transport, and share. Plus, they’re wonderfully portable, so you can enjoy your favorite cake on the go!
🍴 Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake Bars:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups finely shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 How To Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a large bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
Step 2: Combine and Add Carrots
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in shredded carrots, nuts, and pineapple if using.
Step 3: Bake the Bars
Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth and fluffy.
Step 5: Frost and Serve
Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and enjoy!
💡 Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Bars
