Heavenly Moist Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Soft, tender carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting dance with delightful spices and rich textures.

These homemade bars blend traditional comfort with modern baking elegance.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg weave through each delectable bite, creating a symphony of flavors.

Grated carrots lend natural sweetness and moisture to the tender crumb.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious, silky finish that complements the cake’s rustic charm.

Simple ingredients transform into an irresistible dessert that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

You’ll love how these bars bring a touch of bakery magic right to your kitchen counter.

Prepare to savor every single crumb of this heavenly treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 16

What You’ll Need for Decadent Carrot Cake Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and gives the bars a soft, tender crumb with a delicate texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, fluffy consistency.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and contributes to the cake's soft texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the carrot flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Brings depth and a subtle, nutty warmth to the bars.
• Ground Ginger: Introduces a gentle, zingy undertone to the spice blend.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and creates a rich, tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, crisp exterior.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and keeps the bars extra moist.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor and adds a classic, comforting aroma.

• Shredded Carrots: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and nutritional value.
• Chopped Nuts: Adds crunch and earthy depth to the bars.
• Raisins: Introduces bursts of natural sweetness and chewy texture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, smooth frosting with rich flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream cheese frosting.

Tools to Bake Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Baking Pan (9×13-inch): Essential for creating perfectly sized carrot cake bars with even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and preventing sticking of the bars.
• Mixing Bowls (Medium and Large): Necessary for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Key for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding ingredients and spreading batter evenly.
• Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer: Great for creating smooth, fluffy cream cheese frosting.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.
• Knife: Needed for cutting bars into squares.

Making Carrot Cake Bars That Are Moist and Frosted

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking pan a light coating of grease. Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

• Blend Dry Ingredients

Toss flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warming spices into a bowl. Give them a quick whisk to make sure everything’s evenly mixed.

• Mix Wet Components

In a larger bowl, whisk together oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture looks smooth and silky.

• Create the Batter

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently stir in grated carrots and optional nuts or raisins. Don’t overmix – keep the batter light and fluffy.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Whip Up Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, whipping until the frosting is cloud-like and irresistible.

• Finish and Serve

Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting generously. Slice into squares and enjoy! Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.

Carrot Cake Bar Tips: Texture, Frosting & More

• Add an extra tablespoon of vegetable oil to ensure incredibly moist carrot cake bars that stay soft and tender even after cooling.
• Prepare the entire batch of bars up to two days in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator for easy entertaining or quick dessert options.
• Swap regular flour with a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars accessible for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste or texture.
• Replace chopped nuts with toasted pumpkin seeds or skip them entirely for a safe option for those with nut allergies while maintaining delicious crunch and flavor.
• Reduce sugar by using half applesauce and half oil, and incorporate whole wheat flour for a more nutritious version of these delectable carrot cake bars that still taste indulgent.

Ways to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Style

• Cozy Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these luscious carrot cake bars with a steaming cup of chamomile or earl grey tea for a delightful sweet break.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars on a beautiful serving tray with fresh mint leaves, dust with powdered sugar, and add a few whole pecans for an Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve alongside fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries to balance the richness of the cream cheese frosting and add a burst of color to your brunch spread.
• Homestyle Comfort Serving: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers where guests can enjoy a nostalgic treat.

Storing Carrot Cake Bars to Keep Them Fresh

• Store bars in an airtight sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to protect frosting integrity.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe container. Frozen carrot cake bars stay delicious up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Leave unfrosted bars at room temperature for maximum 2 days. Always cover with clean kitchen towel to protect from dust and insects.
• Cream cheese topping requires constant refrigeration. Remove bars from fridge 15-20 minutes before serving to soften and enhance flavor profile. Consuming within 5 days ensures optimal taste and texture quality.

FAQs

• Why use vegetable oil instead of butter in this recipe?

Vegetable oil keeps the carrot cake bars incredibly moist and tender. Unlike butter, oil coats flour proteins more evenly, preventing gluten development and creating a softer texture.

• Can I substitute the nuts or raisins?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap nuts for pecans or walnuts, or skip them entirely. If you don’t like raisins, you can omit them or replace with dried cranberries for extra flavor.

• How do I know when the carrot cake bars are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bars are done. Avoid overbaking to maintain moisture and softness.

• What's the secret to smooth cream cheese frosting?

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing. Beat them until completely smooth before adding powdered sugar, which prevents lumpy frosting.

Moist Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Carrot cake bars bring wholesome comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Rich layers of spiced cake and creamy frosting promise delightful moments you will savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) finely shredded carrots
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup (75 g) raisins
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for effortless bar removal.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger together, ensuring a uniform spice distribution.
3. Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Whisk vegetable oil, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until the mixture achieves a silky, cohesive texture.
4. Batter Composition: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to preserve the cake’s delicate structure, then fold in shredded carrots, chopped nuts, and raisins.
5. Pan Transformation: Spread the batter evenly across the prepared pan, using a spatula to create a smooth, level surface.
6. Baking Ritual: Bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge with minimal crumbs.
7. Cooling and Setting: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, which stabilizes its structure and prevents crumbling.
8. Frosting Creation: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
9. Final Assembly: Generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the cooled cake, creating elegant swirls or a smooth finish.
10. Serving and Storage: Slice into bars and serve. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

Optimize Carrot Moisture: Squeeze excess liquid from freshly grated carrots using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bars and maintain perfect cake texture.

Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients minimally to avoid developing tough gluten, which can make the bars dense and chewy instead of tender.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing, better incorporation, and more consistent frosting texture.

Customize Dietary Needs: Swap vegetable oil with applesauce for lower-fat version, use gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly option, or replace eggs with flax eggs for vegan adaptation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg