Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars (Printable)
Moist spiced carrot cake swirled with tangy cream cheese filling creates these irresistible handheld treats. Perfect for spring gatherings and easy to slice and serve.
# 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
14 - 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
→ 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
03 - Whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Fold in grated carrots, pineapple, and nuts if using.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture; stir until just combined. Set aside.
05 - 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 carrot cake batter over cream cheese layer.
07 - Use knife or skewer to gently swirl batters together for marbled pattern.
08 - Bake for 38-42 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean.
09 - Cool completely in pan. Refrigerate 2 hours for easier slicing. Cut into bars and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture contrast alone is worth it, crunchy walnuts giving way to that impossibly creamy cheese layer
- They actually taste better the next day, making them perfect for make-ahead stress-free entertaining
02 -
- Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable here unless you want tiny lumps in your smooth cheese layer
- Over-swirling the batters will muddy the distinct layers we are going for, so just three or four passes with your knife is plenty
03 -
- Use the fine side of your box grater for the carrots so they virtually disappear into the batter
- Chill your cream cheese layer for 15 minutes before spreading to keep it from sinking into the carrot batter