Name: Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup finely grated carrots; 4 oz cream cheese (softened); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 egg yolk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you’re looking for the ultimate spring treat that merges nostalgic comfort with modern-day luxury, these Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. Every bite features a moist, warmly-spiced carrot cake base topped and swirled with tangy, rich cream cheese—offering all the decadence of a classic carrot cake, but in an easy, slice-and-serve bar that’s as perfect for gatherings as it is for quiet coffee breaks.

Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars is that they lean on simple, wholesome ingredients—each one playing a starring role in the moist crumb, irresistible aroma, and creamy swirl. Here’s what you’ll need to create layers of flavor in every square:

All-purpose flour: The essential backbone for structure, allowing the bars to hold up beautifully after slicing.
Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners bring lift and help keep the texture light but fudgy—never dense.
Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and wakes up the spices.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These pantry favorites infuse the bars with classic carrot cake warmth and a cozy, fragrant aroma.
Vegetable oil: The secret to incredibly moist bars that stay tender, even after chilling.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds caramel notes and extra moisture for melt-in-your-mouth richness.
Granulated sugar: Keeps the bars perfectly sweet without overpowering the delicate flavors.
Eggs: Give structure and stability for that perfect golden crumb while holding the bars together.
Vanilla extract: Brings a gentle floral note that ties the cake and swirl together.
Finely grated carrots: The star ingredient—softened and sweetened by baking, bringing natural color and earthy-sweet taste.
Cream cheese (softened): For the swirl, lending a luscious, tangy contrast no carrot cake should ever be without.
Granulated sugar (for swirl): Sweetens the cream cheese just right.
Egg yolk: Adds silkiness to the swirl, helping it bake up smooth and creamy.
Vanilla extract (for swirl): Rounds out the swirl with mellow, aromatic depth.

How to Make Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Get your oven heated to 350°F so it’s ready when you are. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy lifting later, or grease it lightly with nonstick spray. This makes removing the finished bars a total breeze.

Step 2: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. This even distribution of leaveners and spices ensures every bar is perfectly lifted and full of balanced, warm flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and creamy. The oil and eggs give luscious moisture, while those two sugars work together for deep flavor and the just-right hint of sweetness.

Step 4: Make the Cake Batter

Add your dry mix into the wet, stirring gently until just combined. Now fold in your finely grated carrots, which bring vibrant color and a subtle, earthy sweetness to the party. Try not to over-mix—just enough so it all comes together into a thick, speckled batter.

Step 5: Fill the Pan

Spread the carrot cake batter evenly in your prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, making sure the corners are filled for even bars after baking.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until you have a silky, spreadable mixture. This easy swirl will melt into the cake as it bakes, adding pockets of tangy creaminess.

Step 7: Swirl It In

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the carrot cake batter. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cream cheese through the top layer—go for that marbled, bakery-style look without mixing it in too deeply.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pop your pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges will look set and golden, while the center should no longer jiggle when you give the pan a gentle shake. Patience pays off—cool completely in the pan to ensure perfect slicing.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars

Garnishes

Dress up your Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars with a flurry of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of finely chopped walnuts, or delicate curls of extra carrot. These finishing touches not only add eye appeal but bring textural contrast and a nod to classic carrot cake tradition.

Side Dishes

Pair your bars with a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or spiced chai for a cozy afternoon snack. For springtime gatherings, a simple bowl of fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream will make your Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars the star of any dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut into traditional bars for easy sharing, or use cookie cutters to make fun shapes for holidays and parties. Stack them in parchment squares for gift boxes, or serve on tiered cake stands to create a show-stopping centerpiece at brunch—all ways to make these Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars extra memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extra Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. The flavors only deepen over time, and the creamy swirl stays satisfyingly rich without drying out.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll hold up beautifully for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for fresh-from-the-bakery taste.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars slightly warm, pop one in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This brings out the cake’s softness and intensifies the aroma, making every bite taste just-baked. Be careful not to overheat, so the cream cheese swirl stays smooth and creamy.

FAQs

Can I add nuts or raisins to these bars?

Absolutely! For a nod to traditional carrot cake, fold up to half a cup of chopped walnuts or raisins into the batter along with the carrots. They add a wonderful crunch and bursts of sweetness.

Why do I need to cool the bars completely before slicing?

Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars set as they cool, which ensures tidy slices and a creamy swirl that holds its shape. Cutting too soon may result in gooey squares that fall apart.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store?

While convenient, pre-shredded carrots are often too thick and dry for baking. Freshly grated carrots blend smoothly into the batter, keeping these bars moist and tender.

Is it possible to double the recipe for a bigger crowd?

Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. The bake time might need a few extra minutes, so keep an eye out for set edges and a firm center.

Do these bars work as a make-ahead dessert for parties?

Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a fantastic make-ahead treat! Bake and chill them a day or two in advance; they slice easily and taste just as delicious (if not better) after resting in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give these Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars a spot in your dessert lineup this season. They’re easy enough for a weekday bake yet luscious enough for any celebration. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend, and enjoy every swirly, fluffy bite!

Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 9 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful combination of moist carrot cake and creamy cheesecake with these scrumptious Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars. Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert, these bars are easy to make and will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

For the carrot cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup finely grated carrots

For the cream cheese swirl:

4 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large bowl, combine oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Stir in the dry ingredients, then fold in the grated carrots until just combined.
Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Drop spoonfuls over the batter and use a knife to gently swirl it through the top layer.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center no longer jiggles. Cool completely in the pan before slicing.