Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for a special occasion, Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are about to become your go-to treat. This recipe delivers all the cozy flavors of classic carrot cake—spice, sweetness, rich cream cheese frosting—but in a portable, shareable bar that’s the talk of any potluck or party. Soft, tender, and warmly spiced, these bars are lovingly topped with a thick layer of tangy, fluffy frosting, making every bite a true celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting use familiar pantry staples, and each plays a special role in making these bars irresistible. The balance of spice and sweetness comes together beautifully for a crowd-pleasing result.
- All-purpose flour: This provides the tender structure for the bars, ensuring they hold together yet remain soft.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners help achieve a light, fluffy crumb with just the right amount of lift.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: These classic spices give the bars their signature warmth and aromatic flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings out the carrot cake flavors and perfectly balances sweetness.
- Eggs: They bind the batter and add richness, giving the bars their plush texture.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: The mix of white and brown sugar creates complexity, moisture, and subtle caramel notes.
- Vegetable oil: Oil keeps the bars ultra-moist and soft, without weighing them down.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances every other ingredient with its sweet perfume.
- Finely grated carrots: The star of the show—they add moisture, natural sweetness, and the iconic color to each bite.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a lovely crunch and a bit of earthy flavor, fold in some nuts if you like.
- Cream cheese (softened): The base for our dreamy frosting—it must be soft for a silky result.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps the frosting whip up light and creamy.
- Powdered sugar: What makes the frosting sweet and smooth, dissolving perfectly into the cream cheese.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Infuses the creamy topping with an extra layer of flavor.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): This tiny addition ensures the frosting isn’t cloying and enhances all the other flavors.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Give a 9×9-inch baking pan a light grease or, for extra easy removal, line it with parchment paper overlapping the edges. This simple prep work ensures your Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting come out clean and picture-perfect.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. By whisking the spices and leaveners into the flour now, you’ll get an even distribution—no clumps of spice or leavener, just consistent flavor throughout every bite.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This step builds the base of your batter, ensuring the bar stays moist and rich with a touch of caramel sweetness.
Step 4: Add Carrots and Combine
Stir in the grated carrots to the wet ingredients. The carrots will immediately bring gorgeous color and extra moisture. Next, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix—the batter should be thick but still just combined for the most tender result. If you love a bit of crunch, now’s the time to fold in your walnuts or pecans.
Step 5: Bake
Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan, smoothing the top for an even bake. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’ll know the Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Patience pays off here—let the bars cool fully in the pan. This prevents the bars from crumbling and ensures your frosting won’t melt away when you spread it on.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat everything until the frosting is fluffy and easily spreadable—this is your signature topper for the Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting!
Step 8: Frost and Slice
Spread the frosting in an even layer over the cooled bars, reaching all the way to the edges. For clean-cut bars, use a sharp knife (wipe it clean between cuts). Serve and enjoy each dreamy bite!
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes
Want to take your Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting over the top? Sprinkle some extra chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a dusting of cinnamon on top for a pretty finish. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try some adorable carrot-shaped sprinkles or ribbons of grated carrot for a fun touch.
Side Dishes
These bars are absolute showstoppers on their own, but they pair beautifully with fresh fruit salad, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for dessert lovers who crave contrast. For an afternoon treat, they’re heavenly alongside coffee or hot tea.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, consider serving your Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting on a tiered platter or as part of a dessert buffet. You can also cut them into small squares for bite-sized treats at parties, or package them individually for charming homemade gifts or lunchbox surprises.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, keep the bars covered in the refrigerator; they’ll stay moist and delicious for up to 5 days. Just place them in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap to keep them fresh and flavorful.
Freezing
If you’re prepping ahead, Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting freeze beautifully—though it’s best to freeze them unfrosted for the best texture. Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and stash them in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving for that just-baked magic.
Reheating
While these bars are fabulous served chilled or at room temperature, if you want to take the chill off, just let them sit out for 20–30 minutes. Avoid microwaving frosted bars, as the frosting may melt or split. Instead, gently rewarm unfrosted bars if desired, then frost and enjoy.
FAQs
Can I make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, and check that your baking powder is certified gluten-free. You’ll get all the flavor and tender crumb without the gluten.
Can I add raisins, coconut, or pineapple to the bars?
Go for it! Mix in up to 1/4 cup shredded coconut, raisins, or even crushed pineapple (well-drained) to the batter for a delicious twist that adds extra texture and flavor.
How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Lining your baking pan with parchment paper so it hangs over the sides is the best trick for easy removal. Lightly greasing the pan first helps the parchment stick and keeps everything flawless.
Can I make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting ahead of time?
Definitely. You can bake the bars a day in advance and keep them covered at room temperature. Frost just before serving, or even frost ahead and chill—just allow them to sit out a few minutes to soften before slicing.
Why is it important to use finely grated carrots?
Finely grating your carrots ensures they blend seamlessly into the batter, making every bite tender and preventing any hard, chunky pieces. It also helps keep the bars super moist and perfectly textured.
Final Thoughts
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the kind of treat that makes any day feel a little more festive and special. They’re easy enough for beginners, luscious enough for dessert lovers, and destined to disappear quickly at your table. Give them a try and let these sweet, spiced bars steal the show at your next gathering—you’ll be hooked from the first bite!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus cooling time)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of moist carrot cake bars topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. These bars are perfect for any occasion and will satisfy your cravings for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl.
- In a large bowl, mix eggs, sugars, oil, and vanilla. Stir in carrots, then fold in dry ingredients and nuts.
- Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt, then spread over cooled bars.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Bars stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- For added texture, consider mixing in shredded coconut or raisins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
