Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine moist, spiced carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl, creating a decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes and a tender crumb, these bars offer a delightful balance of sweetness and tang.
- 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
- Preheat oven and prepare 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 ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Melt butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs in the next step.
- Mix wet ingredients: Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the cooled melted butter until fully combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir the mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in carrots: Fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots evenly throughout the batter to add moisture and texture.
- Prepare cream cheese swirl: 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, smoothing it out evenly. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to set before lifting them out of the pan using the foil edges. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is not too hot when mixing with the egg to avoid scrambling.
- Grate fresh carrots finely for a smoother batter and better texture.
- For easier cleanup, using heavy-duty foil and spraying it well helps prevent sticking.
- These bars keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can add chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch if desired.
Keywords: Carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot cake dessert, easy baking recipe, spiced carrot cake, cream cheese swirl, homemade carrot bars
