Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
This Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars recipe combines the moist, warmly spiced flavors of classic carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl, creating a rich and satisfying dessert perfect for any occasion. With a tender crumb made from freshly grated carrots, aromatic spices, and a sweet, tangy cream cheese topping, these bars deliver all the joy of carrot cake in a convenient bar form.
- 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
For the 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
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt the butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then allow it to cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs when mixed.
- Mix wet ingredients: Whisk the large egg, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and vanilla extract into the melted butter until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture to create a batter, being careful not to overmix.
- Incorporate carrots: Fold in the freshly grated carrots until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter, adding moisture and texture.
- Prepare cream cheese swirl: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Combine batter and cream cheese: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and use a knife or skewer to swirl it through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake the bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to set completely, then lift from the pan using the foil and slice into 16 squares to serve.
Notes
- Freshly grated carrots enhance the moisture and natural sweetness of the bars.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to ensure a tender texture and prevent toughness.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
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