Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with these delicious Carrot Cake Bars topped with creamy Cream Cheese Frosting! 🥕🍰

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• In a separate bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
• Fold in grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
• Spread frosting over cooled carrot cake bars.

Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 1 bar

• Calories: 320
• Fat: 18g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g

Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting! 🥕🍰 #carrotcake #creamcheesefrosting #deliciousdesserts

Popular questions:

• Question: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Answer: Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe, but keep in mind that it may result in a slightly denser texture.

• Question: Can I omit the nuts from the recipe?

Answer: Yes, you can omit the walnuts or substitute them with another type of nut or seeds if desired.

• Question: Can I use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil?

Answer: Yes, you can use coconut oil as a substitute for vegetable oil, but it may add a slight coconut flavor to the bars.

• Question: How should I store leftover carrot cake bars?

Answer: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Question: Can I freeze the carrot cake bars?

Answer: Yes, you can freeze the bars without frosting for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Helpful tips:

• For added flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of orange zest to the cream cheese frosting.
• You can add a handful of shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical twist.
• To make these bars nut-free, simply omit the walnuts and increase the amount of raisins.
• For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
• To enhance the presentation, garnish the frosted bars with additional chopped walnuts or grated carrots.

Expert Secrets:

• Make sure to grate the carrots finely to ensure they blend seamlessly into the batter.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough texture in the finished bars.
• Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• For a tangier frosting, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture.
• Experiment with different spices like ginger or cloves for a unique flavor profile.