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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 117 reviews

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine moist grated carrots with warm spices and a creamy, tangy cream cheese swirl. Baked to perfection, they make a delightful treat perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

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Carrot Cake Batter

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup freshly grated carrots

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt butter: Melt 0.5 cup unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then allow it to cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: Whisk into the melted butter one large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
  4. Add dry ingredients: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Fold in carrots: Carefully fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots, ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
  6. Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 large egg yolk and 0.5 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  7. Assemble and swirl: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan, then dollop the cream cheese mixture on top. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating they are cooked through.
  9. Cool and slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours to set properly. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the foil and slice into 16 squares.

Notes

  • For best results, use freshly grated carrots rather than pre-shredded to retain moisture and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Storage: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • These bars can be served chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.

Keywords: carrot cake bars, cream cheese swirl, dessert bars, carrot dessert, cream cheese dessert

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/irresistibly-indulgent-carrot-cake-cream-cheese-bars-recipe/