Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – Sweet Easy Recipes
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!
Servings: 12 bars
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
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and mix until combined.
- Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in the grated carrots.
- 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. Let cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled carrot cake bars, slice, and serve!