Description
Warm, cozy carrot cake bars with a silky cream cheese layer that deliver all the classic flavors in a portable format.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- Extra chopped nuts or a light dusting of cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until the mix holds together when pressed. Press the mixture firmly into a lined 9×13-inch baking pan to form an even base.
- Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then remove it to cool slightly.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs, granulated and brown sugars, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently, then stir in the grated carrots and nuts if using.
- Spread this batter evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and lump-free. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mix over the carrot batter, then use a knife to swirl lightly.
- Bake the bars for 25–30 minutes, until the center sets but still jiggles slightly. The top should show a gentle golden hue.
- Let the pan cool to room temperature, then chill the bars for at least 2 hours to firm up the cream cheese. Use a sharp knife wiped between cuts for neat squares.
Notes
These bars can be made a day ahead; they taste better the next day. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg