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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 58 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the warm, comforting flavors of traditional carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl, baked into easy-to-serve bars. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this dessert offers moist grated carrots folded into a tender batter and a rich, tangy cream cheese topping, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Carrot Cake Batter

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup freshly grated carrots

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs when combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients and Sugar: Whisk the large egg, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and vanilla extract into the melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Sift and Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, then gently stir into the wet mixture to create a uniform batter without overmixing.
  5. Fold in Carrots: Gently fold in the freshly grated carrots, ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter for moisture and flavor.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the egg yolk and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
  7. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and then dollop the cream cheese mixture on top. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cream cheese into the batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
  9. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours before lifting them from the pan using the foil edges. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Be sure not to overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bars tender.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to achieve clean edges and proper texture.
  • You can substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier twist, but the texture may be a bit denser.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot dessert, easy baking recipe, cream cheese swirl, homemade carrot cake

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Find it online: https://everydaytastes.com/irresistibly-indulgent-carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe/