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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews
  • Author: Matteo
  • Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Description

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the moist, warmly spiced carrot cake base with a luscious, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a caramel-like sweetness from brown sugar, these bars bake to a tender crumb and are a delightful treat for dessert lovers looking for a rich yet comforting baked good.

Ingredients

Scale

Carrot Cake Base

  • 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

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to ensure easy removal.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt 0.5 cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Let it cool slightly to prevent cooking the eggs in the next step.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the melted butter until the mixture is combined and smooth.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gradually stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently so as not to overmix.
  5. Incorporate Carrots: Fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots evenly throughout the batter, adding moisture and texture.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 large egg yolk and 0.5 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy without lumps.
  7. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared baking pan and evenly swirl the cream cheese mixture over the top to create a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are set and fully baked.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to firm up before lifting out of the pan and slicing into 16 squares for serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and flavor.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and light.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is softened to achieve a smooth cream cheese swirl.
  • Cooling is essential for clean slicing and best texture.
  • Storage: Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • For easier removal, let bars cool completely before lifting using the foil edges.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese bars, carrot dessert, baked carrot cake, spiced carrot cake, cream cheese swirl, easy carrot bars, homemade carrot cake

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Find it online: https://todayplates.com/irresistibly-indulgent-carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe/