Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars
Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a delightful twist on traditional carrot cake, combining the warmth of spiced cake with a rich and creamy swirl of cream cheese. These bars are moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare, making them the perfect treat for any occasion—be it a family gathering or a cozy evening at home. With each bite, you’ll enjoy the sweet and spiced flavors of freshly grated carrots, complemented by the luscious creaminess that elevates these bars to an irresistible dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Makes approximately 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots (about 2–3 medium carrots)
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional for extra moisture)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In a large bowl, whisk oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Gently stir in grated carrots and optional pineapple and nuts.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Pour about ⅔ of the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the top. Add the remaining carrot cake batter on top and use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (60g)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Find it online: https://cookingwithmia.com/cream-cheese-carrot-cake-bars/