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
Scale
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
