Name: Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – Sweet Easy Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect sweet treat. They’re easy to make, super moist, and full of warming spices and shredded carrots. This recipe is a dream come true for dessert lovers and fits perfectly with sweet easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, easy dessert recipes, simple homemade sweets – easy recipes, easy food recipes, and simple desserts with few ingredients. Whether for a spring gathering, Easter celebration, or a casual weeknight treat, these bars are always a hit!

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
3) Ingredients for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
4) How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
5) Tips for Making Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
6) Making Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This sweet easy recipe delivers moist and flavorful carrot cake bars topped with smooth cream cheese frosting.
It’s perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth.
Simple pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients make this dessert a breeze to prepare.
These bars can be made ahead and store well, making them ideal for busy families.

2) Easy Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

This sweet easy recipe for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting is one of those magical creations that checks all the boxes—quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious. In fact, it’s the kind of dessert you’ll find yourself making again and again, whether for Easter brunch, a spring potluck, or just to brighten up your weeknight. The bars are incredibly moist thanks to shredded carrots, oil, and applesauce, with a warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to deepen the flavor.

3) Ingredients for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bars, providing the structure needed for a soft yet sturdy texture. Be sure to spoon and level your flour for accuracy.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder: This combination helps the carrot cake bars rise evenly and stay fluffy, giving them their signature soft crumb.

Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavor of the spices and balances the sweetness of the frosting and batter.

Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger): These warm spices bring depth and a touch of cozy flavor to every bite. They’re essential to that classic carrot cake aroma and taste.

Eggs: Act as a binder and add moisture to the batter, helping achieve that ideal cake-like texture in these dessert bars.

Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: A combo of these two sugars ensures the perfect balance of sweetness and moisture.

Vegetable Oil: Provides rich moisture and ensures the bars stay tender even after refrigeration. It’s a must in sweet easy recipes like this one.

Unsweetened Applesauce: A healthy moisture-booster that complements the carrots while reducing the need for extra oil or butter.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the carrots and the spices while adding a lovely sweetness to both the bars and the frosting.

Grated Carrots: The star of the show—fresh, finely shredded carrots melt into the batter and provide that classic carrot cake flavor and texture.

Cream Cheese and Unsalted Butter: Together, these two ingredients create the dreamiest frosting—rich, creamy, and tangy.

Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness to the frosting and helps achieve that silky-smooth consistency we all love.

4) How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This step ensures easy removal of your carrot cake bars after baking.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 3: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until light and fluffy. This helps add air into the batter for a softer, lighter bar.

Step 4: Add the oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture, and stir until fully combined. This step locks in the rich flavor and moisture—crucial for sweet easy recipes like this one.

Step 5: Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix, as this can make the bars dense.

Step 6: Fold in the grated carrots. You want them evenly dispersed to provide moisture and a sweet, earthy flavor to every bite.

Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely. While they cool, prepare the frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

Step 9: Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the frosting mixture, beating until fluffy. Once the bars are cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top, slice, and serve.

5) Tips for Making Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Don’t skip lining your baking pan with parchment paper. It makes it easier to lift the bars out in one go and keeps your presentation clean. When grating carrots, go for the fine side of your box grater—coarse pieces can weigh down the batter and result in uneven texture. To give your frosting a twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest for a new flavor profile. If you’re aiming for an extra sweet easy recipe to impress a crowd, top the bars with a few chopped walnuts.

6) Making Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time

These carrot cake bars are excellent for preparing in advance, especially if you’re hosting an event. You can bake the bars up to two days ahead and store them unfrosted in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, whip up the frosting fresh and spread it on just before slicing. Because this is one of those simple desserts with few ingredients, it holds up beautifully and still tastes incredible even after a few days.

7) Storing Leftover Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Once frosted, these carrot cake bars should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and moist for up to five days. If stacking them, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. You can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to three months. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight before frosting. This kind of easy food recipe proves that homemade sweets can be just as convenient and freezer-friendly as store-bought options—only way more delicious!

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting