Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars (Printable View)
Moist spiced carrot cake layers swirled with tangy cream cheese filling create these irresistible marbled dessert bars.
# What You Need:
→ Carrot Cake Layer
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
12 - 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
13 - 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained (optional)
14 - 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Layer
15 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
16 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
17 - 1 large egg
18 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in grated carrots, drained pineapple, and nuts if using.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture; stir until just combined. Set batter aside.
05 - In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla; blend until creamy and lump-free.
06 - Spread 2/3 of carrot cake batter into prepared pan. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over top. Dollop remaining batter over cream cheese layer.
07 - Use knife or skewer to gently swirl batters together for marbled effect. Do not overmix.
08 - Bake for 38-42 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean.
09 - Cool completely in pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours for easier slicing. Cut into 16 bars and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The swirled cream cheese layer adds a tangy richness that balances the sweet spiced carrot cake perfectly
- You get all the comfort of carrot cake with the handheld convenience of a bar
02 -
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before beating, or you'll end up with stubborn lumps that ruin the smooth texture
- Over-swirling the layers will muddy the beautiful marble pattern, so just 2 or 3 gentle passes with your knife is plenty
03 -
- Grate your carrots finely so they distribute evenly and cook through completely, avoiding any crunchy raw bits
- If you use pineapple, squeeze it thoroughly in a paper towel, or your bars might turn out slightly soggy in the center