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
Scale
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
