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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 50 reviews

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine moist, spiced carrot cake batter with a smooth, sweet cream cheese swirl. Baked to perfection in just 30 minutes, they are perfect for a decadent dessert or a sweet snack that is easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Prepare Pan: Lightly spray the foil-lined pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and help with clean removal after baking.
  3. Melt Butter: Melt 0.5 cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the egg in the next step.
  4. Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk into the melted butter one large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
  5. 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, then gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently to combine without overmixing.
  6. Fold Carrots: Carefully fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots until evenly dispersed throughout the batter, which adds moisture and natural sweetness.
  7. Beat Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese with one egg yolk and 0.5 cup granulated sugar until smooth, creamy, and well combined.
  8. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly. Dollop and swirl the cream cheese mixture over the top using a knife or spatula to create a marbled effect.
  9. Bake Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
  10. Cool Bars: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to set completely and make slicing easier.
  11. Slice Bars: Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil edges and slice into 16 equal squares. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Freshly grated carrots improve moisture and add natural sweetness to the batter.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender texture and prevent toughness.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.

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

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