Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the warm spices of classic carrot cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl. Perfect for a cozy dessert or a special treat, they bake up moist, tender, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 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
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. Step 2: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let cool slightly.
3. Step 3: Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until combined.
4. Step 4: Sift in 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Stir gently.
5. Step 5: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots until evenly dispersed.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with one egg yolk and ½ cup of granulated sugar until smooth.
7. Step 7: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and swirl the cream cheese mixture over the top.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Allow to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours before lifting from the pan and slicing into squares.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and sweetness in your bars.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the texture tender and light.
• For an added crunch, fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans before baking.
• Swap cream cheese for mascarpone for a slightly different creamy swirl.

Storage

Store the carrot cake cream cheese bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best flavor, let them come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slightly if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use shredded carrots from a bag instead of freshly grated?

While pre-shredded carrots can work, freshly grated carrots provide better texture and moisture, enhancing the overall flavor of the bars.

How do I prevent the cream cheese swirl from sinking?

Make sure the cream cheese mixture is smooth and gently swirl it on top of the batter without mixing. Baking at the right temperature helps keep the swirl distinct and creamy.

Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 133 reviews

Delight in these irresistibly indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars, featuring a moist and warmly spiced carrot cake base swirled with a rich, creamy tangy cream cheese topping. Perfectly balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars offer a luscious texture and a delightful treat for any occasion.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Batter

• 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

For the Cream Cheese Swirl

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg yolk
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute. Allow it to cool slightly before combining with other ingredients to avoid cooking the egg prematurely.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk in one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the melted butter until well combined.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir this mixture into the wet ingredients to ensure even distribution without overmixing.
5. Fold in Carrots: Fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots into the batter, evenly dispersing them throughout.
6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
7. Assemble and Swirl: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it through the batter for a marbled effect.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Then carefully lift them out of the pan using the foil and slice into squares to serve.

Notes

• Use freshly grated carrots to enhance moisture and natural sweetness in the bars.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake texture tender and prevent it from becoming dense.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

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