Soft, spiced, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, these decadent carrot cake bars are a cozy twist on the classic carrot cake. Each bite melts in your mouth with moist texture, earthy sweetness, and the rich tang of creamy frosting. Perfect for gatherings, afternoon snacks, or a make-ahead treat, these bars are a must-bake for carrot cake lovers.

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

With toasted pecans sprinkled on top and a hint of cinnamon in every layer, they balance texture and flavor effortlessly. Plus, since they come in bar form, they’re much easier to slice, store, and serve than a traditional layered cake.

What Kind of Carrots Work Best in Carrot Cake Bars?

Freshly grated carrots are your best friend for this recipe. Pre-shredded carrots tend to be dry and lack the moisture that makes these bars soft and tender. Opt for medium-grated carrots—not too fine, not too chunky—to help them blend into the batter seamlessly.

Ingredients for the Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrots: The star ingredient. Freshly grated for maximum moisture and sweetness.

Brown Sugar: Adds depth and a caramel-like note to the cake base.

Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and contributes to the fluffy texture.

Eggs: Essential for structure and richness.

Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bars incredibly moist without adding competing flavor.

All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the batter, giving it the structure needed.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Provide leavening for a soft, airy crumb.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Infuse warmth and spice into every bite.

Salt: Just a touch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.

Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor of both the cake and the frosting.

Cream Cheese: The heart of the frosting—rich, tangy, and creamy.

Butter: Softened, it blends into the cream cheese for that silky-smooth texture.

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting without grittiness.

Chopped Pecans: Optional but recommended for a crunchy finish.

How To Make the Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined.

Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Add the Carrots

Gently fold in the freshly grated carrots. The batter will be thick and aromatic.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually and mix until creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top for a delightful crunch.

How to Serve and Store These Carrot Cake Bars

Serve these bars slightly chilled or at room temperature to best enjoy the creamy frosting and soft crumb. They make a lovely addition to dessert trays or brunch spreads.

To store, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted bars and add frosting after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How finely should I grate the carrots?

Use a medium grater to avoid overly wet or chunky textures. It helps the carrots blend better while still offering some bite.

Can I use a different frosting?

Yes! While cream cheese is classic, you could also try vanilla buttercream or a light glaze.

What kind of oil works best?

Neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or even light olive oil work well for keeping the bars moist.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. The bars can be made a day or two in advance. Store the frosted bars in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Are there any add-ins I can include?

Raisins, crushed pineapple, or shredded coconut can be stirred into the batter for extra flavor and texture.

How do I know when the bars are done?

Insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Want More Dessert Ideas with a Cozy Twist?

If you enjoyed these carrot cake bars, try these other comforting favorites:

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you toss in raisins or go all in on the pecans? Try a drizzle of caramel? I love hearing your twists and tips. Questions are welcome too—let’s make baking even better together!

Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Author: Kate Walton
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars

Print Recipe

Description

Moist, warmly spiced carrot cake in convenient bar form, crowned with creamy tangy frosting and a sprinkle of chopped pecans. Perfect for every season and simple to bake, these bars bring classic flavor with a modern twist.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Fold in grated carrots.
Pour batter into the baking dish. Bake for 28-32 minutes. Cool completely.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla.
Spread frosting over cooled bars. Top with chopped pecans if using.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Desserts