Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
These irresistibly indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine moist, spiced carrot cake with a smooth, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfectly portioned as bars, they offer the classic flavors of carrot cake in an easy-to-serve format, making them an ideal dessert for gatherings or everyday treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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 prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Mix Base: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute and allow it to cool slightly. Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir this dry mixture into the wet ingredients to avoid overmixing.
- Add Carrots: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots evenly throughout the batter, ensuring consistent moisture and texture.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with one egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, leveling it evenly. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and create swirls by gently dragging a knife through both layers.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil edges and slice into squares for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother swirl.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients have been added to keep the bars tender.
- Using an 8×8-inch pan helps achieve the right thickness; adjusting pan size will affect baking time.
- For extra moisture, you can add ¼ cup of crushed pineapple or applesauce to the batter if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese swirl, easy dessert, spiced carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, holiday dessert, comfort food
