Carrot Cake Bars
Try making these yummy Carrot Cake Bars, where we make delicious carrot cake bars, then cover it with creamy cream cheese frosting and sprinkle pecans on top! It's a sweet and easy treat that combines the goodness of carrots and the fun of baking.
Carrot Cake Bars
Carrot Cake Bars are a delicious treat perfect for any occasion, whether it's a cozy family gathering, Easter dessert, a special celebration, or just a sweet craving on a quiet afternoon.
These bars are not just tasty; they're also easy to make and serve, making them a great choice for both beginners and experienced bakers.
Whether you're looking for a dessert to impress your guests or just want to enjoy a homemade sweet treat, Carrot Cake Bars are sure to satisfy.
Ingredients for Carrot Cake Bars
Unsalted sweet cream butter: For the cake, it should be melted, and for the frosting, it should be softened to ensure a smooth texture.
Light brown sugar: Make sure it is fresh and soft for easier mixing.
Eggs: Use large ones at room temperature.
Vanilla extract: Don't substitute with imitation vanilla if you can avoid it, as the flavor is superior with pure extract.
Finely grated carrots: Make sure they are fresh and finely grated for a smooth texture and sweet flavor.
Flour
Seasonings: Salt and ground cinnamon.
Finely chopped pecans: Chop them finely but not too finely as to become powdery.
Cream Cheese: Make sure to pull out the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature.
Powdered sugar
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars
To make delicious Carrot Cake Bars, start by pre-heating on your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Next, mix together your dry ingredients: flour, ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl until everything’s mixed well.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Once it's all melted, add in both the light brown sugar and regular sugar, whisking them together until everything is nicely combined, melted, and smooth.
Give it about 15 minutes to cool down a bit. Then, add the eggs, vanilla, and grated carrots into your butter and sugar mixture, mixing them in slowly.
Start adding your dry ingredients into this wet batter a little bit at a time. Keep whisking until you see a thick batter forming. Then gently stir in a cup of chopped pecans.
Once your batter is ready, pour it into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Pop it into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when sticking it into the cake bars.
While waiting, make the frosting.
Take a mixer and beat cream cheese and butter together until they’re light and fluffy.
Slowly beat in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until it’s thick and smooth.
Once your bars are cool, spread the frosting over the top. Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans over the top of the frosting.
Give the frosting some time to set, then cut your cake into bars. Now, they’re ready to enjoy!
Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Carrot Cake Bars
Here are some tips to make these carrot cake bars:
Use parchment paper: Line your tray with parchment paper. It keeps your cake from sticking, making it easy getting the bars out.
Add carrots last: Mix in your grated carrots after your eggs and vanilla. It keeps the batter smooth and makes sure carrots spread out well.
Use a toothpick to check: Stick a toothpick in the center when baking time is close to end. If it comes out clean, they're done.
Frost cool bars: Wait until your bars cool before putting frosting on. It keeps the frosting from melting and getting messy.
Cut with a warm knife: To cut your bars, dip your knife in hot water. It makes cutting through the frosting easier and gives you clean slices.
How to Store Leftovers
Storing leftover Carrot Cake Bars is easy and a great way to keep them tasty for later.
Store them in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap. If you put them on a plate, you can use toothpicks stuck in the carrot cake bars to keep the plastic wrap above the frosting.
They'll stay good in there for up to 5 days.
What to Serve with Carrot Cake Bars
Here are some ideas on what to serve with these carrot cake bars.
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Whipped Cream
- Fresh Fruit
- Milk
Carrot Cake Bars
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Bar Ingredients :
- 1 ½ cups unsalted sweet cream butter melted
- 2 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cups finely chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting :
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cups unsalted sweet cream butter softened
- 2 ½ cups Powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper to insure no sticking happens while baking.
- Using a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt until combined
- Using a medium pot, melt the butter.
- Once the butter is melted whisk in the light brown sugar and sugar until combined, melted and smooth
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes
- Gradually mix in the eggs, vanilla and grated carrots into the melted butter mixture
- Gradually whisk in the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until a thick batter starts to form
- Gently fold in 1 C chopped pecans
- Scoop the batter into the tray and spread evenly
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
- Allow to cool.
- Using a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and creamy.
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until combined, thick and smooth.
- Spoon the frosting onto the cooled bars and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining finely chopped pecans over the frosting.
- Allow the frosting to set before cutting into bars and enjoying!
Notes
- Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on your specific ingredients.
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
All purpose or self rising flour?