Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and spiced goodness with our Carrot Cake Bars topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword bars, carrot cake, carrots
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 20bars
Calories 463kcal
Ingredients
2cupsall-purpose flour
1teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoonsalt
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
2cupsgranulated sugar
1 ¼cupvegetable oil or canola
¾cupunsweetened applesauce
3large eggsroom temperature
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1 ½cupscarrotsfinely grated
½cuppecansfinely chopped, optional - or walnuts
Frosting
8ozcream cheesesoftened
½cupbuttersoftened (1 stick) unsalted
1teaspoonclear vanilla extract **see notes
4cupsconfectioner’s sugar**see notes
Decoration, optional
Orange gel food coloring
Green gel food coloring
Instructions
Bars
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 15x10x1 baking pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the four, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla.
Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Stir in the carrots and nuts, if using, until well combined.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Frosting
Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
Add the vanilla and beat until well combined.
Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
Frost the cooled bar cookies.
Cut and serve immediately or store in an airtight container in a single layer.
Decoration, optional
To make the carrots, add a small amount of frosting to 2 bowls.
Color one with orange food coloring and the other one with green.
Fit a decorator icing bag with a small round tip for the carrot and a leaf tip for the leaves.
Pipe on the carrot with leaves before serving.
Notes
Vanilla Extract: using clear vanilla extract will keep the frosting bright white and will not yellow the frosting like regular vanilla extract.Confectioner’s Sugar: it’s best to sift the sugar before adding to the cream cheese mixture for a smooth frosting.