Heavenly Carrot Cake Delight Bars Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Sweet, moist carrot cake delight bars offer a nostalgic twist on a classic dessert that melts in your mouth.

Layers of warm spices and creamy frosting create an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

These bars pack rich, comforting flavors that remind you of grandma’s beloved recipe.

Soft, tender carrots infuse each bite with natural sweetness and moisture.

The cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that complements the cake earthy notes.

Baked to golden perfection, these bars promise a delectable experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s dive into this delightful dessert adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 284 kcal

Servings: 13

Carrot Cake Bar Ingredient

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and helps create a moist, tender texture with rich undertones.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps bind ingredients together, enhancing overall flavor and smoothness.
• Eggs: Contribute structure, moisture, and help create a cohesive cake-like consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic complexity that elevates the entire dessert's flavor profile.
• Carrots: Deliver natural sweetness, moisture, and delightful texture while adding nutritional value.

• All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the fundamental structure for the cake bars, creating a tender crumb.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, spicy notes that complement the carrot's natural sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Ensures proper rising and creates a light, airy texture in the bars.
• Salt: Balances and enhances all the other flavors in the recipe.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright, citrusy undertones that add unexpected complexity to the dessert.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a luxurious, tangy layer that contrasts beautifully with the sweet carrot cake base.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake mixture and helps achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheesecake mixture and contributes to its stable, rich texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the cheesecake's flavor profile.

Tools for Making Carrot Cake Bars Easy

• Mixing Bowls: Large bowl for wet ingredients, separate bowl for dry ingredients and cheesecake mixture.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sugar, butter, eggs, and mixing cream cheese.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredient quantities.
• 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Square pan for baking the carrot cake bars.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps easy removal of bars.
• Butter Knife: Perfect for creating swirl pattern in the batter.
• Grater: Used for grating fresh carrots.
• Sifter: Helps blend and aerate dry ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer: Ensures cream cheese mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Cooling Rack: Optional for cooling bars after baking.

How to Bake Carrot Cake Bars

• Oven Warmup

Set your oven to cozy temperature around 350°F. Grab a square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure it hugs all the edges.

• Wet Mixture Magic

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk brown sugar with melted butter until they become best friends. Crack in some eggs, splash vanilla, and fold in freshly grated carrots. Mix everything until they dance together smoothly.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Sift flour, sprinkle cinnamon, and add a pinch of salt. If you’re feeling zesty, toss in some orange zest. Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Remember, less stirring means more tenderness.

• Cheesecake Whispers

In another bowl, whip cream cheese until silky. Add a single egg, a sprinkle of sugar, and vanilla. Beat until the mixture looks like a dreamy cloud.

• Layer Love

Pour your carrot cake batter into the waiting pan. Drop spoonfuls of cheesecake mixture on top. Use a knife to create beautiful swirls, like an edible artwork.

• Baking Bliss

Slide the pan into the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes until a knife comes out almost clean, signaling your creation is ready.

• Chill and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out using parchment paper edges. Slice into squares and share the deliciousness.

Add-Ons for Better Carrot Cake Bars

• Explore tasty twists and baking secrets for these delightful bars.
• Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans to add crunch and nutty depth to your carrot cake base.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like ground ginger or nutmeg to enhance the classic carrot cake flavor profile.
• Sprinkle cinnamon or mix in a touch of orange zest directly into the cheesecake swirl for an extra flavor dimension.
• These bars stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making them perfect for advance party preparation.

Ways to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Style

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Pair these decadent bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra luxurious dessert experience.
• Elevate with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or walnuts on top just before serving to add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the cake's rich flavors.
• Create Beverage Pairings: Complement these bars with a warm cup of chai tea, spiced latte, or a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness and highlight the cake's warm spices.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper with a rustic twine bow for a charming homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads delicious joy.

Storing and Saving Carrot Cake Bars

• Refrigerate with Care: Store these delightful bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Quick Freeze Strategy: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying for best texture and taste.
• Smart Portioning Technique: Cut bars into uniform squares before storing. Use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful swirled appearance when separating.
• Temperature Tip: Always bring refrigerated bars to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps soften the cheesecake swirl and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dessert.

Moist Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet carrot cake delight bars blend classic dessert flavors with convenient bar form. Moist spiced cake layers combine creamy frosting and nutty textures, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups grated carrots
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170 g) melted butter
• 1 ¼ cup (250 g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs (1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk)
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon optional orange zest
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete side coverage.
2. Wet Mixture: Combine brown sugar and melted butter in a large mixing bowl, whisking until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and grated carrots, stirring until well integrated.
3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl. Fold in orange zest, then gently incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, avoiding overmixing.
4. Cheesecake Swirl: Blend cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
5. Assembly and Baking: Pour carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, creating an even surface. Dot cheesecake mixture across the top and use a knife to create elegant swirling patterns. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
6. Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Use parchment paper edges to remove the dessert, slice into squares, and serve.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to maintain a light, tender texture and avoid tough, dense bars.
• Swirl Technique: Use a butter knife to create beautiful, random swirls for a professional-looking cheesecake bar presentation.
• Moisture Magic: Freshly grated carrots ensure maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the cake base.
• Cooling Crucial: Let bars cool completely in the pan to set properly and achieve clean, perfect cuts.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 284
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 189 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg