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Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 76 reviews

Delight in these Decadent Carrot Cake Bars topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Packed with grated carrots, crushed pineapple, warm spices, and optional crunchy walnuts, these bars are a perfect blend of moist cake and luscious frosting, ideal for any dessert occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the cake bars do not stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger until evenly combined.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter. Fold in the grated carrots, drained crushed pineapple, and optional chopped walnuts gently.
  5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  6. Make the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar while continuing to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  7. Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake. Cut into bars and optionally garnish with additional chopped walnuts before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for a smoother and creamier frosting.
  • Drain the crushed pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture that could make the cake soggy.
  • For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts.
  • Store the bars refrigerated if not serving immediately, to maintain freshness of the cream cheese frosting.

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

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/decadent-carrot-cake-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/