Yield: 9 bars
Moist and Delicious Homemade Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These irresistible carrot sheet bars transform the classic carrot cake into a portable, shareable treat. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of warm spices, freshly grated carrots, and velvety cream cheese frosting. The bars maintain the nostalgic flavors of traditional carrot cake while offering a modern, convenient twist that's perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or weekly meal prep. The recipe yields perfectly moist bars with a tender crumb, complemented by optional chopped nuts for added texture and depth.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Total Time
55 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup neutral-flavored oil
- 3 large egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup raisins and chopped nuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- In a large bowl, combine applesauce, vegetable oil, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until well mixed
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, ground cloves, and nutmeg in a separate bowl
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix
- Fold in grated carrots and any optional add-ins (nuts, raisins) until evenly distributed
- Transfer batter to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting
Frosting Method:
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar while mixing on low speed
- Add vanilla extract and cream, adjusting consistency as needed with additional powdered sugar or cream
- Spread prepared frosting evenly over cooled bars
- Cut into desired serving sizes
Notes
Recommended Equipment:
- 13x9-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Box grater
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
Recipe Notes:
- Grate carrots yourself for best results - pre-shredded carrots are often too dry
- Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature for smooth frosting
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.\
- Bars can be frozen unfrosted for up to 3 months
FAQs:
- Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these bars 1-2 days in advance. Store them in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before serving. - Can I substitute the oil with applesauce?
Yes, you can replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter version, though the texture may be slightly different. - Why did my cream cheese frosting turn out runny?
This usually happens when the cream cheese or butter is too warm. Make sure they're at cool room temperature, not overly soft. - Can I add raisins or pineapple?
Yes, you can add ½ cup of raisins or well-drained crushed pineapple. Adjust the baking time slightly if adding pineapple.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 540Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 542mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 2gSugar: 51gProtein: 9g
Nutrition may not be accurate
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