Fluffy & Sweet Carrot Cake Bars Recipe Anyone Can Make

Sweet aromas of spices and warmth fill the kitchen when you bake these delectable carrot cake bars that promise pure comfort.

Packed with tender carrots and a hint of cinnamon, this carrot cake bars recipe delivers homemade goodness in every bite.

Soft, moist, and perfectly balanced, these bars offer a delightful twist on the classic dessert.

Each square brings together rich cream cheese frosting and perfectly spiced cake base.

The secret lies in using fresh, grated carrots and just the right blend of spices.

Layers of flavor meld together, creating a treat that’s both rustic and elegant.

Let these bars become your new favorite way to satisfy a sweet craving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Carrot Cake Bars Irresistible

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and backbone for the cake bars, choose unbleached for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and fluffy texture, ensuring the bars rise perfectly.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize acidic ingredients and enhances browning.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that defines classic carrot cake.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, earthy depth to the spice blend.
• Ginger: Delivers a gentle, slightly zesty undertone.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to rich, tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and moisture, brown sugar adds deeper caramel notes.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures incredibly moist bars and tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with its aromatic warmth.

• Carrots: Star ingredient bringing natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Nuts: Optional crunchy element adding textural contrast.
• Raisins: Optional burst of natural sweetness and chewy texture.

Tools That Help With Baking Carrot Cake Bars Easily

• 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Perfect for creating evenly sized carrot cake bars with crisp edges.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking of the bars.
• Medium Bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients together smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients and mix wet ingredients without lumps.
• Grater: For shredding fresh carrots into fine, soft pieces.
• Electric Mixer or Wooden Spoon: Helps beat eggs and sugar until smooth and well combined.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing the center for moist crumbs.

How to Bake Moist and Flavorful Carrot Cake Bars

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your cooking space to 350F and grab a baking pan. Line it with parchment paper or give it a quick oil spray for easy removal.

• Create the Dry Blend

Grab a bowl and toss together your flour, baking powder, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk until everything looks perfectly blended.

• Blend the Liquid Magic

Crack eggs into a separate bowl and add sugars. Whip them together until they transform into a silky smooth mixture. Pour in oil and vanilla, stirring until they dance together beautifully.

• Bring the Batter to Life

Slowly fold your dry mix into the liquid ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Grate fresh carrots and fold them into the batter, adding a delightful orange swirl.

• Bake and Enjoy

Pour your batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with love. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely before slicing into sweet, spicy squares of happiness.

Toppings and Mix-ins for Carrot Cake Bars

• Simple tricks to elevate your carrot cake bars to the next level.
• These bars stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.
• Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Reduce sugar by using unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas, which add natural sweetness and extra moisture to the bars.
• For an indulgent touch, whip up a quick cream cheese glaze with powdered sugar, cream cheese, and a splash of vanilla to drizzle over cooled bars.

Serving Carrot Cake Bars for Any Occasion

• Cream Cheese Frosting Delight: Top the carrot cake bars with a luscious cream cheese frosting for an irresistible creamy finish that complements the warm spices perfectly.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the frosted bars to add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the cake's rustic charm.
• Drizzle Magic: Create an elegant touch by drizzling a light caramel or maple glaze over the cooled bars, adding a sweet and sophisticated layer of flavor.
• Fresh Fruit Pairing: Serve alongside fresh berries or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the cake's richness and provide a refreshing complement to the warm spices.

Keep Carrot Cake Bars Soft After Baking

• Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cold temperatures help maintain moisture and freshness.
• Layer bars between wax paper in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.
• Cut bars into individual servings before refrigerating or freezing. This makes grabbing a quick snack super convenient and prevents repeated thawing.
• If consuming within 2 days, store at room temperature in a sealed container. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent drying out.

Moist Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of childhood bloom in these irresistible carrot cake bars, blending warm spices and creamy frosting into a delightful dessert. Comfort and nostalgia merge seamlessly, inviting you to savor each moist, flavorful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ¼ cup raisins (optional)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Station: Activate oven to 350°F (175°C). Create a non-stick environment by lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or applying a thin layer of grease.
2. Craft Dry Foundation: Harmonize flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a medium mixing vessel, whisking until uniformly blended.
3. Develop Liquid Base: In a spacious mixing bowl, transform eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar into a silky mixture. Introduce oil and vanilla extract, stirring until ingredients unite seamlessly.
4. Construct Batter: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into liquid mixture, blending until just combined. Delicately fold in grated carrots, optional nuts, and raisins, creating a rich, textured composition.
5. Bake and Cool: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pan, ensuring uniform thickness. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until a probing toothpick emerges clean. Allow bars to cool completely within the pan, developing depth of flavor and optimal texture.

Notes

• Grate carrots finely and squeeze out excess liquid to prevent soggy bars and ensure a perfect texture.
• Check bars at 25 minutes since ovens vary; golden edges and a clean toothpick test indicate perfect doneness.
• Toast nuts before adding to enhance flavor and maintain crispy texture throughout the bars.
• Cool bars completely before cutting and store in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, lasting 3-4 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg