Description
Indulge in these moist and flavorful Carrot Cake Bars topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Packed with carrots, pineapple, and nuts, these bars are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Blend the batter: Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then fold in carrots, pineapple, and nuts (if using).
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan, bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, add sugar and vanilla, beat until fluffy. Spread over cooled bars.
Notes
- Enhance the flavor with raisins or coconut.
- Store bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
