Description
Moist, tender carrot cake bars topped with classic cream cheese frosting, perfect for using up extra carrots and delightful for potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- Toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- Zest of orange (optional)
- A handful of sunflower seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray and parchment paper.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine the wet ingredients in another bowl: sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth and glossy; add vanilla if desired.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, stirring gently until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots and any optional mix-ins until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Frost the cooled bars evenly and chill for easier slicing.
Notes
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: carrot cake bars, dessert, baking, cream cheese frosting