Can’t decide between classic carrot cake or a simple bar dessert? Now you don’t have to! These homemade carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting are two incredible favorites in one!
Cake or bars? This is the dilemma I often face when I’ve got a baking craving. Do I want soft spiced cake layers or do I want an easy shareable treat? How about, both, in one dessert!
Moist spiced carrot cake spread with homemade cream cheese frosting has got to be one of the best comfort food ideas ever found on the Internet. (Who first came up with sheet cakes??, we owe you so much!) These carrot cake bars are the ultimate indulgence!
Ingredients in Carrot Cake Bars
This ingredient setup keeps things classic and easy to find.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
This recipe flows easily and stays beginner friendly.
1. Prep the pan and oven
Start by heating the oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out cleanly later. Lightly grease the paper to avoid sticking around the edges.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these first spreads the spices evenly through the batter.
3. Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Pour in the oil and vanilla, then mix until glossy and well blended.
4. Add carrots
Fold the grated carrots into the wet mixture. Stir gently so they distribute evenly without clumping.
5. Build the batter
Add the dry ingredients into the wet bowl. Stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars dense, so stop once no dry streaks remain.
6. Bake the bars
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake until the center sets and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
7. Make the frosting
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy and spreadable.
8. Frost and slice
Spread frosting over the cooled bars in an even layer. Chill briefly for clean slices, then cut into squares.
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These bars taste great slightly chilled or at room temperature. The frosting firms up nicely in the fridge, which makes them easy to stack or transport.
For gatherings, I like cutting them into smaller squares so everyone can grab one without feeling too full. They pair really well with coffee or tea, especially in the afternoon.
If you want a dessert that holds up over a couple of days, these bars stay soft and flavorful in the fridge, making them great for make ahead plans.
Recipe Tips
- Grate carrots finely so they blend smoothly into the batter.
- Let bars cool fully before frosting to avoid melting.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother frosting.
- Avoid overmixing to keep the texture light.
- Chill before slicing for cleaner edges.
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
bars20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
2 cups grated carrots
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese softened
¼ cup butter softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Prep the pan and oven:
Start by heating the oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out cleanly later. Lightly grease the paper to avoid sticking around the edges. - Mix the dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these first spreads the spices evenly through the batter. - Combine wet ingredients:
In another bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Pour in the oil and vanilla, then mix until glossy and well blended. - Add carrots:
Fold the grated carrots into the wet mixture. Stir gently so they distribute evenly without clumping. - Build the batter:
Add the dry ingredients into the wet bowl. Stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars dense, so stop once no dry streaks remain. - Bake the bars:
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake until the center sets and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let the bars cool completely before frosting. - Make the frosting:
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy and spreadable. - Frost and slice:
Spread frosting over the cooled bars in an even layer. Chill briefly for clean slices, then cut into squares.
