Description
These carrot cake bars deliver pure Easter delight, packed with warm spices and creamy frosting that make your celebration extra special. Grab some carrots and get ready to bake a treat everyone will adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups shredded carrots
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Shredded coconut
- Cinnamon sugar dusting
Instructions
- Grab an 8×8 or 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Preheat your oven precisely to 350F.
- Mix 1 ½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl.
- Whisk ½ cup melted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup brown sugar until completely smooth.
- Crack 2 large eggs into the butter mixture and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend thoroughly.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients gently. Stir until just mixed – do not overmix your batter.
- Fold 1 ½ cups shredded carrots into the batter, ensuring they distribute evenly throughout.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan. Spread carefully and create an even surface.
- Bake at 350F for 22-28 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into center – it should come out clean.
- Let bars cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese with ¼ cup softened butter until completely smooth.
- Add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar gradually. Mix until frosting becomes fluffy and light.
- Blend in 1 teaspoon vanilla and ½ teaspoon lemon juice for extra flavor.
- Spread frosting evenly across cooled bars using an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans, shredded coconut, or cinnamon sugar on top if desired.
- Slice into squares or rectangles and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Check your carrots are fresh and finely shredded for the most tender texture in your bars.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter to ensure a smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
- Let the bars cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese from melting and becoming runny.
- Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour blend if making this recipe for someone with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-28 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg