Description
Moist and chewy Carrot Cake Bars swirled with a creamy vanilla cream cheese layer. The perfect easy dessert with the cozy flavor of spiced carrot cake in every bite.
Ingredients
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded carrots
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment or grease lightly.
2. Melt butter and whisk with brown sugar until combined.
3. Add egg and vanilla; stir until smooth.
4. Mix in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until fully incorporated.
5. Fold in shredded carrots.
6. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
7. Add egg yolk and vanilla; mix until creamy.
8. Spread half of the carrot batter into pan.
9. Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture over it.
10. Add remaining carrot batter and top with remaining cream cheese mix.
11. Swirl with a knife or skewer.
12. Bake 35–40 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
13. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Use light brown sugar for extra moisture and flavor.
No need to peel the carrots before grating.
For the best texture, use full-fat cream cheese.
Bars will have a dense, blondie-like consistency rather than a fluffy cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg