Carrot cake bars

Carrot cake bars bring all the beloved flavors of traditional carrot cake—moist, spiced cake with a creamy cheesecake swirl—into an easy-to-serve bar. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are especially great for Easter gatherings. They’re soft, flavorful, and a breeze to make from scratch, even if you’re new to baking.

If you’re a fan of carrot cake, these carrot cake bars are a must-try! You can also check out other delicious dessert recipes like carrot cake bars here. Let’s jump into how to make these irresistible treats!

Personal Anecdote

Baking carrot cake bars always takes me back to family gatherings, especially around Easter. Growing up, the aroma of spiced cakes filled our home, and fresh carrots were always a seasonal highlight. Now, whenever I make carrot cake bars, it brings back those warm memories of cooking with my mom.

At Virile Recipes, my goal is to make cooking approachable and fun, just like these carrot cake bars. They’re a simple, flavorful dessert with the perfect mix of moist cake, cinnamon, and a tangy cream cheese swirl. I believe great food doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s all about using simple ingredients to create something special. I hope you enjoy making these bars as much as I do, and I can’t wait to share more of my favorite recipes with you!

Recipe Overview

This recipe brings all the classic carrot cake flavors into a simple, easy-to-make dessert. The moist, spiced base is swirled with a creamy cheesecake topping, adding a rich contrast to the cinnamon flavor. These bars have a chewy, “blondie-like” texture, making them perfect for sharing at gatherings, especially Easter.

What’s great about these carrot cake bars is that they’re simple enough for beginners but still impress with their flavor and texture. And this recipe is just the start—I’ll be sharing more carrot cake variations soon. For now, enjoy these easy-to-make, cinnamon-packed bars with a creamy twist—you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients for Carrot Cake Bars

To make these delicious recipe, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s everything you’ll need for the bars and the creamy cheesecake swirl:

For the Carrot Cake Bars:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots (unpeeled works fine)

For the Cheesecake Swirl:

• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredient Tips:

• Unsalted butter is best for better control over the saltiness of the bars.
• Light brown sugar gives the bars a deeper flavor and richer color.
• Full-fat cream cheese is key for creating a smooth, creamy swirl in the bars.
• If you prefer a healthier twist, you can swap out some ingredients (like using whole wheat flour or a sugar alternative), but I recommend sticking to the basics for the best flavor and texture.

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s get started on these irresistible carrot cake bars!

Instructions for Making Carrot Cake Bars

Making these carrot cake bars is easy and fun! Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating this delicious dessert:

1. Prepare the Carrot Cake Batter:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. In a bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, then mix in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Fold in shredded carrots until evenly combined.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Swirl:
   • In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
3. Assemble the Bars:
   • Spread the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
   • Spoon the cheesecake mixture on top of the batter in dollops.
   • Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cheesecake mixture into the carrot cake batter, creating a marbled effect. Don’t overmix—just a few swirls will give you that perfect swirl pattern.
4. Bake the Carrot Cake Bars:
   • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should feel set but soft to the touch.
   • Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This ensures they hold together nicely.
5. Serving:
   • Once cooled, slice the carrot cake bars into squares and enjoy! These bars can be served as a snack, dessert, or even a treat to bring to your next gathering.

These carrot cake bars are perfect for sharing with family and friends, or just keeping for yourself as a sweet treat. The combination of moist cake and creamy swirl will have everyone asking for the recipe! Enjoy!

Storage Tips for Carrot Cake Bars

To keep your carrot cake bars fresh and delicious, proper storage is key! Here’s how to store them:

• Room Temperature: If you plan to eat your carrot cake bars within a couple of days, you can store them at room temperature. Just place them in an airtight container, and they should stay fresh for up to 2 days.
• Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep the bars in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll last for about 3 to 5 days. The cool temperature will help preserve the creamy cheesecake swirl and keep the bars moist.
• Freezing: Want to enjoy them later? Freeze your carrot cake bars! Wrap them individually or in a batch with plastic wrap and foil, then store them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.

These storage tips will ensure that your carrot cake bars stay fresh, moist, and tasty, whether you’re enjoying them now or saving them for later!

Carrot Cake Bars

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 squares

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Description

Carrot cake bars bring all the beloved flavors of traditional carrot cake—moist, spiced cake with a creamy cheesecake swirl—into an easy-to-serve bar. Perfect for any occasion, especially Easter gatherings. They’re soft, flavorful, and a breeze to make from scratch, even if you’re new to baking.

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots (unpeeled works fine)
• For the Cheesecake Swirl:
• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, melt the unsalted butter and whisk it together with the light brown sugar until smooth and combined.
3. Add in the whole egg and egg yolk along with the vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
6. Stir in the shredded carrots, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
8. Spread the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
9. Spoon the cheesecake mixture on top of the batter in dollops.
10. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cheesecake mixture into the carrot cake batter, creating a marbled effect. Don’t overmix—just a few swirls will give you that perfect swirl pattern.
11. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should feel set but soft to the touch.
12. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This ensures they hold together nicely.
13. Once cooled, slice the carrot cake bars into squares and enjoy!

Notes

Store in an airtight container. Can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for 3-5 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: carrot cake, cheesecake, bars, Easter

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