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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 132 reviews
  • Author: Ella
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the moist, warmly spiced goodness of classic carrot cake with a rich, tangy cream cheese swirl baked to perfection in a convenient bar form. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars offer cozy cinnamon and nutmeg flavors paired with a luscious cream cheese topping for a deliciously satisfying treat.

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. Preheat and Prepare 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 ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Melt Butter. Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let it cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs in the next step.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients. Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the melted butter until thoroughly combined for a smooth batter base.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients. Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir gently until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
  5. Fold in Carrots. Fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter, ensuring moisture and texture in every bite.
  6. Make 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 without lumps.
  7. Assemble Bars. Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and evenly spread it out. Then, pour and gently swirl the cream cheese mixture over the carrot batter to create a beautiful marbled effect.
  8. Bake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
  9. Cool and Slice. Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours so they set properly. Then carefully lift them out using the foil and slice into squares to serve.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the swirl mixture.
  • Use freshly grated carrots for optimal moisture and texture.
  • Allow bars to fully cool before slicing to prevent crumbling.
  • You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Carrot cake bars, cream cheese swirl, carrot dessert bars, easy carrot cake recipe, baked carrot bars, moist carrot cake, carrot cream cheese bars

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