Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful twist on the traditional dessert. These bars are moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a creamy layer of tangy cream cheese, making them perfect for holidays, brunches, or casual gatherings. The combination of fresh grated carrots and the creamy topping creates an irresistible treat that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

This recipe for Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars offers numerous benefits. First, these bars are incredibly moist, thanks to the addition of fresh carrots. The warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth and flavor that elevates this dessert. You’ll also enjoy the rich cream cheese frosting, which balances the sweetness of the cake perfectly. This easy carrot cake cream cheese recipe is perfect for baking novices, and it can be made gluten-free or vegan with simple substitutions. Additionally, the bars can be prepared ahead of time, making them a great option for gatherings. With a total time of just 1 hour, you can whip up these delightful treats in no time!

Ingredients for Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

Gather these items:

2 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for crumb)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crumb)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for crumb)

How to Make Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs until frothy. Add oil and mix well.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
Step 4: Fold in grated carrots until evenly distributed.
Step 5: In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until creamy.
Step 6: Pour carrot batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top and swirl, or spread evenly.
Step 7: Mix crumb topping ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle over the top.
Step 8: Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Pro Tips for the Best Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

Keep these in mind:

Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and flavor.
Ensure your cream cheese is softened for a smooth frosting.
For a lighter frosting, try adding a bit of whipped cream to your cream cheese frosting for carrot cake.
If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
This recipe is versatile; feel free to add nuts or raisins for additional texture.

Best Ways to Serve Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

Here are some serving ideas: You can serve these bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or top them with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting for carrot cake. They pair wonderfully with coffee or tea, making them a delightful addition to brunch gatherings. For special occasions, consider adding a cream cheese filling for carrot cake to enhance the flavor.

How to Store and Reheat Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

To store, keep your Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead, you can prepare the batter and cream cheese mixture separately, then bake fresh when ready to serve. This recipe is great for meal prep, as it can easily be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Cake Cream Cheese

What is carrot cake cream cheese frosting?

Carrot cake cream cheese frosting is a rich, tangy frosting made with softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It’s perfect for topping moist carrot cakes and adds a creamy texture that complements the cake beautifully.

Can I make Carrot Cake Cream Cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars a day in advance. Just keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. The flavors will meld nicely, and they will be equally delicious!

How do I avoid common mistakes with Carrot Cake Cream Cheese?

To avoid common mistakes, ensure your ingredients are at room temperature, especially the cream cheese. Also, do not overmix the batter after adding the flour, as this can make your bars dense instead of moist.

Variations of Carrot Cake Cream Cheese You Can Try

There are numerous variations to explore with Carrot Cake Cream Cheese. Consider adding pineapple for moisture or swapping the sugar for a natural sweetener for a healthier alternative. You can also create a vegan carrot cake cream cheese frosting using vegan cream cheese and powdered sugar. For a festive twist, top with a carrot cake with cream cheese glaze for added sweetness!

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars: A Delightful Twist

Author: basmer
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars are a delicious twist on the classic cake—moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a creamy, tangy layer of cream cheese and a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for holidays, brunches, or casual gatherings.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs until frothy. Add oil and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
Fold in grated carrots until evenly distributed.
In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until creamy.
Pour carrot batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top and swirl, or spread evenly.
Mix crumb topping ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely before slicing into bars.