Craving something sweet, spiced, and irresistibly comforting? These Carrot Cake Bars bring all the cozy flavors of traditional carrot cake into a convenient, shareable treat. Moist, warmly spiced, and topped with creamy frosting, they’re perfect for holiday trays, potlucks, or a quiet coffee break at home.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Bars
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar (packed) | ½ cup |
| Large eggs | 4 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Baking powder | 2 tsp |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1½ tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp |
| Ground cloves (optional) | ¼ tsp |
| Finely grated carrots | 2 cups (about 3–4 medium carrots) |
| Crushed pineapple (drained) | ¾ cup |
| Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) | ½ cup |
Cream Cheese Frosting
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese (softened) | 8 oz |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | ½ cup |
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | Pinch |
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cloves. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Step 4: Fold in Add-Ins
Gently mix in grated carrots, drained crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts if using, until evenly incorporated.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
Step 7: Frost & Slice
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy every bite of these moist, flavorful, and indulgent carrot cake bars.
