Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars
These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the earthy goodness of freshly grated carrots and creamy cream cheese frosting into a delightful, shareable dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cake batter
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed Can substitute with coconut sugar or white sugar.
- 0.5 teaspoon Kosher Salt Sea salt can be used instead.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Almond extract can be used for a twist.
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour Sift before mixing to avoid clumps.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon Pumpkin pie spice can be used as an alternative.
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg Allspice can be a substitute; use cautiously.
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking Powder Ensure freshness for the best results.
- 1 large Egg Use a room-temperature egg for better mixing.
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter, melted Coconut oil can be used as an alternative.
- 1 cup Freshly Grated Carrots Pre-packaged shredded carrots can be used.
For the cream cheese swirl
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened Mascarpone or Greek yogurt can be used instead.
- 1 large Egg Yolk A full egg can be substituted.
- 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar Powdered sugar can be used for a smoother finish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
Cake Batter Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted unsalted butter, whisking until smooth.
- Add the egg, grated carrots, and vanilla extract, then mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
Baking the Bars
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cream Cheese Mixture Preparation
- While the cake is cooling, beat the softened cream cheese with the egg yolk and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Final Baking Step
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the cooled batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until set. Let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For enhanced flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or raisins to the batter. Customize with different spices for a unique twist.