Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
When the craving hits for something sweet, spiced, and comforting, these carrot cake bars hit all the right notes. They bring the cozy essence of classic carrot cake into a simplified, easy-to-share format—perfect for gatherings, dessert tables, or simply pairing with your afternoon coffee. Moist, rich in spice, and topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, these bars are the definition of feel-good baking.
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake Bars:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar (packed) | ½ cup |
| Large eggs | 4 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Baking powder | 2 tsp |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1½ tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp |
| Ground cloves (optional) | ¼ tsp |
| Finely grated carrots | 2 cups (about 3–4 medium carrots) |
| Crushed pineapple (drained) | ¾ cup |
| Chopped walnuts/pecans | ½ cup (optional) |
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese | 8 oz (softened) |
| Unsalted butter | ½ cup (softened) |
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | Pinch |
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil, both sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, if using). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
4. Add Carrots & Extras
Gently fold in the grated carrots, drained pineapple, and nuts (if using), ensuring everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
6. Prepare the Frosting
While the bars cool, beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
7. Frost & Serve
Once the bars have fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve. Perfect for sharing—or not!
Tip:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavor gets even better the next day!