Ah, carrot cake bars—what a delight! Just picture it:
a tender, aromatic bite with the subtle crunch of walnuts and the vibrant sweetness of carrots. They remind me of those cozy afternoons when the scent of cinnamon filled the kitchen, and you’d sneak a taste of the cream cheese frosting just because you couldn’t resist.
These bars are like a warm hug on a chilly day, and if you ask me, they could even make Monday mornings feel special.
Steps
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended.
- Create the Batter: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until smooth. Fold in the grated carrots and any optional add-ins like nuts or raisins.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, stirring until you reach the desired consistency for your frosting.
- Finish and Serve: Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into bars and serve as desired. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup avocado oil (or any mild-flavored oil like vegetable oil)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 8 ounces finely-grated fresh carrots
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) or 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups sifted powdered sugar (adjust to achieve your desired consistency)
FAQ
- Can I make these carrot cake bars gluten-free and vegan?
- Yes, you can adapt the recipe to be gluten-free and vegan by using a suitable gluten-free flour substitute and plant-based ingredients. You may need to halve a vegan gluten-free carrot cake recipe to fit the 9×9-inch baking dish.
- What kind of oil should I use for carrot cake bars?
- You can use avocado oil, but any mild-flavored oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, will work just as well in this recipe.
- How should I store carrot cake bars?
- To keep them fresh, store the carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to three days.
- Can I add extra ingredients to the carrot cake bars?
- Absolutely! You can enhance the bars by adding 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, 1/4 cup of raisins, or toasted shredded coconut to the batter. You can also sprinkle additional nuts on top of the frosting.
- How do I ensure the cream cheese frosting is the right consistency?
- The consistency of the cream cheese frosting can be adjusted by varying the amount of powdered sugar. For a firmer frosting, add more powdered sugar, and for a gooier texture, use less.
Tips
- Grate Carrots Efficiently: To save time, consider using the shredding attachment on a food processor to grate your carrots, or opt for pre-shredded store-bought carrots if you’re short on time.
- Customize with Add-ins: Enhance the flavor and texture of your carrot cake bars by adding optional ingredients such as chopped nuts, raisins, or toasted shredded coconut to the batter.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: For the perfect cream cheese frosting, gradually adjust the quantity of powdered sugar to achieve your preferred consistency, whether you like it gooey or more set.
- Spice Up the Frosting: For an added flavor twist, incorporate a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger into the cream cheese frosting.
Equipment
- 9×9-inch Baking Dish – Essential for baking the carrot cake bars.
- Wire Cooling Rack – Useful for allowing the baked bars to cool evenly.
- Box Grater or Food Processor with Shredding Attachment – Needed for grating fresh carrots, unless you opt for pre-shredded store-bought carrots.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer – While the recipe mentions mixing by hand, a mixer can make the process easier, especially for making the cream cheese frosting.
