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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 72 reviews

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the moist, warmly spiced flavors of classic carrot cake with a luscious, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfectly tender with a caramelized sweetness and a creamy finish, these bars are ideal for dessert or a special snack.

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 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 and lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl by microwaving for about 1 minute. Allow it to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs when combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk into the melted butter one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
  5. Fold in Carrots: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots carefully so they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter, adding moisture and texture.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with one large egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
  7. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared baking pan and then spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the carrot batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
  9. Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. This cooling time helps the bars set firmly. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the foil edges and slice into squares for serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and moisture.
  • Softening the cream cheese at room temperature makes it easier to beat smoothly.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and moist.
  • Allow thorough cooling before slicing to avoid crumbling.
  • These bars can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and served chilled or at room temperature.

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, dessert bars, carrot cake, cream cheese swirl, baked dessert

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