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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 69 reviews
  • Author: Ella
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the warm spices and moist texture of classic carrot cake with a luscious, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfect as a decadent dessert or an indulgent snack, these bars offer a cozy flavor profile with a tender crumb and a delightful creamy topping.

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

  1. Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Let it cool slightly to prevent cooking the eggs in the next step.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients and Sugar: Whisk the large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the melted butter until fully combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to keep the batter light.
  5. Incorporate Carrots: Fold in the freshly grated carrots carefully to evenly distribute moisture and texture throughout the batter.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with one egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  7. Assemble the Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the bars are ready.
  9. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Once cooled, lift the foil to remove the slab from the pan and cut into squares for serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and texture.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
  • Swirling the cream cheese creates beautiful marbling and ensures every bite has both flavors.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For a nutty addition, consider folding in chopped walnuts or pecans with the carrots.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Carrot cake bars, Cream cheese bars, Carrot cake dessert, Cream cheese swirl, Spiced carrot bars

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Find it online: https://delishwithella.com/irresistibly-indulgent-carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe-2/