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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
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.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars