Description

These Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, moist, and perfectly spiced with a smooth and tangy cream cheese topping. Packed with grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and warm spices, they’re a crowd-pleasing treat that’s ideal for holidays, potlucks, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Carrot Cake Bars:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
Add Carrots and Pineapple: Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and walnuts if using.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Make Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until creamy and fluffy.
Frost and Slice: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into bars and serve.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the walnuts before mixing them into the batter.
If you prefer a lighter texture, squeeze excess moisture from the crushed pineapple before adding.
These bars taste even better the next day once the flavors have settled.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250 kcal
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting, easy carrot cake bars, spiced carrot cake, dessert bars