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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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