Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Introduction: These carrot cake bars are a perfect blend of moist, spiced carrot cake topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting and finished with a crunchy sprinkle of pecans. They are easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and ideal for serving at gatherings or as a sweet treat for yourself. These bars bring all the warmth and comfort of carrot cake, but in a more convenient, sliceable form!

Ingredients:

For the Carrot Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped pecans (for topping, optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until smooth and combined. Gradually add the oil and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until well combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots and chopped pecans (if using).

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the carrot cake to cool completely in the pan.

While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla extract.

Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Optionally, sprinkle with chopped pecans for an extra crunch and flavor.

Slice into squares or bars and enjoy your delicious homemade carrot cake bars!

These carrot cake bars are perfect for any occasion and offer all the flavor of traditional carrot cake, with the added bonus of being easy to cut and serve. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!