If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a classic carrot cake into a perfectly portable treat, these Carrot Cake Bars are about to become your new obsession. Soft, moist, and packed with that cozy spice flavor you crave, each bar is topped with a cloud of sweet cream cheese frosting that makes every bite a celebration. Super simple to prepare yet impressive enough for any gathering, this recipe is a delightful twist on tradition that you’ll reach for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Carrot Cake Bars lies in their simple, everyday ingredients—each one thoughtfully chosen to bring depth, warmth, and irresistible texture. From the freshness of grated carrots to the signature tang of cream cheese frosting, every component plays a delicious role.
- All-purpose flour: The base of our bars, creating structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These ensure your bars rise into fluffy, tender perfection.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens every flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: This winning trio delivers those classic, comforting carrot cake spices.
- Large eggs: For binding and that irresistibly moist crumb.
- Granulated and light brown sugar: A mix for balanced sweetness and a hint of caramel richness.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars extra soft and moist, never dry.
- Unsweetened applesauce: A secret for lightness and subtle fruitiness—also helps cut the need for extra oil.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out all the flavors.
- Finely grated carrots: The star ingredient! They melt into the batter, bringing natural sweetness and gorgeous color.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): For a little nutty crunch—totally up to you.
- Cream cheese and unsalted butter (softened): The dreamy, creamy duo for your frosting.
- Powdered sugar: To make the frosting perfectly sweet and smooth.
- Extra vanilla extract for frosting: To echo the warm flavors and bring everything together.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the edges so you can easily lift out the bars later. Lightly grease the parchment and pan sides—this small step makes for effortless serving and a stress-free cleanup!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Giving your dry ingredients a good mix now makes sure your Carrot Cake Bars bake up evenly, with all those wonderful spices greeting each bite.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until they’re well blended—looking fluffy and lighter in color. Next, stir in the vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract. This easy blend is key to that luscious, cake-like texture we love.
Step 4: Bring Everything Together
Add your bowl of dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—once you see a mostly uniform batter with a few streaks, you’re done. Next, fold in the finely grated carrots and walnuts (if you’re using them). The batter will look impossibly fragrant and colorful!
Step 5: Bake the Bars
Pour the glorious carrot-flecked batter into your prepared pan and spread it smoothly into the corners. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will be filled with the dreamy aroma of carrot cake spices—try to let the bars cool completely right in the pan for the best texture.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your Carrot Cake Bars cool, whip up the frosting! In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy and smooth, then slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy and dreamy, making sure there are no lumps. Patience pays off: creamy frosting spreads beautifully on cooled bars.
Step 7: Frost and Slice
Generously spread that silky cream cheese frosting over the completely cooled bars—it’s the crown jewel of this treat. Cut into squares (12 perfect bars) and serve. Every bite is a sweet, spiced celebration!
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars
Garnishes
The finishing touch can make these Carrot Cake Bars truly sparkle! Try a light sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans, a dusting of cinnamon, or even a few strands of extra grated carrot for a pop of color. Edible flowers or a drizzle of honey can turn your bars into an eye-catching dessert tray centerpiece.
Side Dishes
Pair your Carrot Cake Bars with a cold glass of milk, a steamy mug of chai, or lemonade for a refreshing contrast. If you’re hosting brunch, serve alongside fresh berries, Greek yogurt, or a citrus fruit salad—the sweet and zesty flavors complement the richness of the bars wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange your sliced bars on a fancy tiered platter, or wrap individual squares in parchment and tie with twine for a sweet takeaway treat. If you want to get playful, cut the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters or stack two bars with a layer of frosting in-between for a decadent carrot cake sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, Carrot Cake Bars keep beautifully in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to four days. The cream cheese frosting actually helps keep them extra moist—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
If you want to save some bars for later, freeze them! Arrange the unfrosted bars in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or tightly wrapped in plastic. Thaw at room temperature, then frost when ready to eat. If you’ve already frosted them, place the bars on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed container—the frosting holds up surprisingly well.
Reheating
Carrot Cake Bars are delicious cold or at room temperature, but if you like them a little warmer (without melting the frosting), let them sit out for 10–15 minutes after removing from the fridge. If you prefer them gently warmed, pop them in the microwave for just 5–10 seconds—but keep a close watch so the frosting doesn’t get too soft.
FAQs
Can I make Carrot Cake Bars without nuts?
Absolutely! The walnuts are optional, so you can leave them out if you’re nut-free or want a smoother texture. The bars will still be super moist and flavorful without them.
Can I add raisins or shredded coconut?
Yes, both make wonderful additions! Stir in up to half a cup of raisins or coconut for a chewy, sweet twist—this is your chance to customize your Carrot Cake Bars to your heart’s content.
How do I know when my bars are done baking?
The top should look set and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Try not to overbake, as this can make the bars dry.
Can I double this recipe?
You sure can! For a party-sized batch, double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Baking time may need to increase by about 5–10 minutes, so keep an eye on them toward the end.
What’s the best way to grate carrots for Carrot Cake Bars?
Use the fine side of a box grater for best results—the smaller pieces blend right into the batter, keeping the bars moist and evenly flavored with no large chunks.
Final Thoughts
There’s a certain magic to sharing something homemade with your favorite people, and these Carrot Cake Bars are sure to steal the show every time. Whether for a celebration or just to brighten an ordinary day, they’re destined to become a tried-and-true favorite you’ll crave again and again. Happy baking!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious carrot cake bars with a creamy cream cheese frosting, perfect for a sweet treat or dessert. These moist and flavorful bars are easy to make and a great way to enjoy the classic carrot cake flavor in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease it.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- Combine Batter: Stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in grated carrots and walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool bars in the pan.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until creamy.
- Frost Bars: Spread frosting over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can add raisins or shredded coconut for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
