If you’re ready to fall in love with a classic dessert all over again, these Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting are about to steal your heart. Imagine a luscious, moist carrot cake, packed with just the right amount of spice and richness, transformed into easy-to-share bars and crowned with the most irresistible frosting you’ve ever tasted. Each bite is a celebration of cozy flavors and creamy decadence, making these bars a show-stopping treat for family gatherings, potlucks, or just a well-deserved afternoon indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting plays its own special part in making these bars truly memorable. You won’t find any unnecessary frills here: just the essentials, each adding a burst of flavor, texture, or beautiful color to the final treat.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars incredibly moist and tender, giving them that classic carrot cake texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter while building structure for a soft, cake-like crumb.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Adds caramel notes and a bit of chewiness thanks to the molasses content.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and create a wonderfully rich cake base.
- Vanilla extract: Provides fragrant, warm undertones that pair perfectly with warm spices.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the bars their sturdy, sliceable body without being too dense.
- Baking powder: Helps the bars rise just enough for a soft, pillowy bite.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to give the bars an even rise and golden hue.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the spices.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers the beloved warmth and aroma that’s signature to carrot cake.
- Ground nutmeg: Lends a subtle earthiness and depth of flavor.
- Ground ginger: Adds gentle zing that brightens up each bite.
- Finely grated carrots: The star ingredient; they create sweetness, moisture, and that gorgeous orange color.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a toasty crunch that contrasts the tender crumb beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for browning and adding nutty complexity to the frosting.
- Cream cheese (softened): Creates a rich, tangy frosting base that’s perfectly spreadable.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to fluffy perfection.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the frosting’s flavor and enhances the browned butter notes.
- Pinch of salt: Turns the frosting from one-dimensional sweetness into a truly crave-worthy topping.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), the sweet spot for tender bars. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and give it a light greasing—this makes cutting and lifting out the bars a breeze. The parchment ensures you don’t lose any precious edges to sticking!
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky-smooth. This step lays the foundation, dissolving the sugars and ensuring everything emulsifies into an ultra-moist base.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mixing these before combining with the wet ingredients keeps your rising agents and spices evenly distributed—no clumps of seasoning here!
Step 4: Create the Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stopping just when no streaks of flour remain keeps the bars light and tender.
Step 5: Add Carrots and Nuts
Fold in your freshly grated carrots and the optional nuts. Grating carrots by hand results in the perfect texture, and chopped walnuts or pecans provide a lovely crunch for those who like a little texture in their bars.
Step 6: Bake the Bars
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide into the oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges and a toothpick that comes out clean from the center—don’t overbake or you’ll miss out on that dreamy moistness.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Once baked, allow your carrot cake bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is non-negotiable; a cool surface ensures the Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting will spread smoothly and stay picture-perfect.
Step 8: Make the Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it foams and develops a deep golden color with a nutty aroma—about 5 to 6 minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes before beating together with the softened cream cheese. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, whipping until you have a thick, creamy cloud of frosting.
Step 9: Frost and Cut
Once bars are cool, slather on your browned butter cream cheese frosting generously. Use an offset spatula for smooth, swoopy swirls. Slice into bars and get ready for the best part—digging in!
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes
Give your Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting an extra flourish by topping with toasted coconut, additional chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. These little touches make them look as good as they taste, perfect for special occasions or impressing your guests.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk. The rich spice of the bars pairs beautifully with something warm and comforting on the side, making them ideal for brunch spreads or afternoon treats. For a springtime twist, try serving alongside fresh berries.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the cut bars on a pretty cake stand or tiered tray, nestling parchment between layers to prevent sticking. You could also cut the bars into bite-sized squares for dessert platters or wrap each bar in wax paper for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delightfully moist for up to five days, making them perfect for prepping ahead or savoring all week long.
Freezing
If you want to make these bars in advance, freeze them (either frosted or unfrosted) in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They keep beautifully for up to two months; just thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
While these bars are delicious straight from the fridge, you can let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting to its creamiest state. Simply transfer your desired quantity to a plate and let them come to the perfect temperature before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded carrots for these bars?
Hand-grated carrots really are best since they provide more moisture and a finer texture, but in a pinch, pre-shredded carrots work—just give them a rough chop if they’re too coarse.
Is it possible to make these bars nut-free?
Absolutely! Simply leave out the walnuts or pecans and your Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting will still be perfectly tender and delicious.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, you can easily double everything and bake in two 9×13-inch pans or a single half-sheet pan. Watch the baking time, as a larger batch may need a few extra minutes to cook through.
What’s the best way to get clean cuts for the bars?
Chilling the bars before slicing makes it easier to achieve neat squares. Clean your knife between each cut to keep the frosting tidy and the bars bakery-beautiful!
Can I use gluten-free flour?
A good one-for-one gluten-free baking blend works well in place of regular flour so everyone can enjoy Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting, even those with dietary restrictions.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking for a bake that’s both crowd-pleasing and unforgettable, these Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting truly deliver. From that first sweet, spiced bite to the velvety swoop of frosting, every morsel is pure joy. I hope you give this recipe a try and share these cozy, irresistible bars with those you love most!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these moist and flavorful Carrot Cake Bars topped with a decadent Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are a delightful treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
- Add carrots and nuts: Fold in grated carrots and nuts if using. Spread batter in the pan and bake for 28–32 minutes.
- Make frosting: Brown butter in a saucepan, then beat with cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt until creamy.
- Frost bars: Spread frosting over cooled bars and cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- Bars can be made a day ahead and frosted before serving.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut or more nuts for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
