Name: Best Carrot Cake Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 1/2 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-in. chunks (about 4 to 5 large carrots); 2 Tbsp. salted butter, at room temperature; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom; Pinch of ground cloves; 1 cup salted butter, divided; 2 cups packed light brown sugar; 2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 2 large eggs plus 4 egg yolks, at room temperature; 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted; 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature; 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 large egg, at room temperature

Description

Moist carrot cake flavor baked into bars, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting for a perfect handheld dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

12 1/2 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-in. chunks (about 4 to 5 large carrots)
2 Tbsp. salted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
Pinch of ground cloves
1 cup salted butter, divided
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs plus 4 egg yolks, at room temperature
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Blend carrots with 2 Tbsp. butter in a food processor until smooth; set aside.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, and pinch of cloves in a bowl.
Beat 1 cup butter with brown sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla, salt, eggs, yolks, and carrot puree; mix until combined.
Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated, then stir in chopped pecans.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Beat cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and egg until smooth for the frosting.
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 150 mg

Keywords: carrot cake,bars,dessert,baking