Print

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 90 reviews

These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful twist on traditional carrot cake, featuring a moist and spiced carrot batter swirled with a rich, creamy cheese layer. Baked to perfection, these bars offer the perfect balance of warm spices, tender carrots, and smooth cream cheese frosting in every bite, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1 cup grated carrots (loosely packed)

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 4 ounces brick-style cream cheese (softened to room temperature, full fat recommended)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and spray it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt Butter: Place the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high power for approximately 1 minute until melted. Let the melted butter cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs when mixed.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients and Spices: In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled melted butter, one large egg, light brown sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, ground cloves, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and kosher salt carefully, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bars tough.
  5. Fold in Carrots: Gently fold in the grated carrots, ideally grated using the coarsest side of a box grater for the best texture. Avoid pre-shredded carrots as they tend to be too firm and can alter the texture.
  6. Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula. Set the pan aside while preparing the cream cheese swirl.
  7. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, and granulated sugar. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat on high speed for about 4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
  8. Swirl Cream Cheese: Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the carrot batter in the pan. Using the tip of a spatula or butter knife, gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter. The swirl doesn’t have to be deep — just a light swirling for marbled effect suffices.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool uncovered in the pan at room temperature for at least 2 hours. For best flavor and texture, let them cool overnight before slicing into bars and serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and moisture; avoid pre-shredded carrots from bags.
  • Allow the cream cheese mixture to beat thoroughly to ensure a fluffy and smooth swirl layer.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bars tender and moist.
  • Cooling overnight enhances flavor and makes slicing cleaner and easier.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese for best taste and consistency in the swirl.

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese swirl, spiced carrot dessert, easy carrot cake recipe, autumn desserts

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe/