Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine moist, warmly spiced carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars are a decadent treat that’s easy to make in one pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Carrot Cake Batter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup freshly grated carrots
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the melted butter until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Fold in Carrots: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots evenly throughout the batter to add moisture and nutritious flavor.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with one egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a tangy swirl.
- Assemble Batter and Swirl: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and create swirls by dragging a knife or skewer through the batter gently.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to set properly. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil and slice into squares.
Notes
- Using freshly grated carrots ensures the best moisture and flavor.
- Allowing bars to cool completely before slicing helps achieve clean edges.
- Heavy-duty foil helps lift the bars out easily for serving and storage.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer molasses flavor.
- For a nut-free version, ensure all ingredients are processed in a nut-free facility and avoid adding nuts as a topping.
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese swirl, carrot cake recipe, easy baking, spiced carrot dessert, cream cheese bars
