Carrot Cake Bars
Indulge in the comforting taste of Carrot Cake Bars, a delightful dessert that combines the warmth of traditional carrot cake with the chewy texture of blondies. These bars are infused with fragrant spices and packed with shredded carrots and toasted pecans, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking for a sweet snack, these Carrot Cake Bars are sure to impress friends and family alike. With an easy recipe that requires minimal effort, you can whip up these delicious treats in no time. Top them off with creamy frosting for an extra layer of indulgence!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (172g) unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
- ½ cup (105g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cup (170g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 scant teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup (100g) shredded carrots, loosely measured, not packed (see note)
- ½ cup (65g) finely chopped toasted pecans
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1½ cups (187g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- finely chopped toasted pecans (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract; mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing gently.
- Fold in shredded carrots and chopped pecans until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- For frosting, beat softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy; gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Once cooled completely, frost the bars and garnish with additional pecans if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Find it online: https://miaeasycooking.com/carrot-cake-bars/