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Decadent Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 17 reviews

These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars combine the moistness of traditional carrot cake with the convenience of a bar form, perfect for snacks or dessert. With warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, shredded carrots, and a creamy cream cheese frosting, these bars offer a delightful blend of textures and flavors that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt until fully combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil and eggs vigorously until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air and gives the batter a smooth texture.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bars.
  5. Add Carrots and Nuts: Fold in the shredded carrots and chopped walnuts or pecans evenly throughout the batter to distribute the flavors and crunch.
  6. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
  7. Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, blend the softened cream cheese with the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
  8. Frost and Serve: Once the bars have fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, then cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or pecans.
  • Shredded carrots can be lightly squeezed to remove excess moisture for a less wet batter.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the frosting.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For added flavor, try sprinkling a pinch of nutmeg into the batter.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake bars, easy carrot dessert, cream cheese frosting, spiced carrot bars, homemade carrot cake

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/decadent-carrot-cake-bars-recipe/