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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 75 reviews

Delight in these irresistibly indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars, featuring a moist and tender carrot cake base swirled with a luscious, creamy cream cheese topping. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

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 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 ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs in the next step.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk together the cooled melted butter, 1 large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently stir the mixture until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
  5. Fold in Carrots: Carefully fold in 1 cup freshly grated carrots until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 large egg yolk and 0.5 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  7. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Then, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter for a marbled effect.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars 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. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil and slice into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for optimal moisture and flavor.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the swirl.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bars tender.
  • Allow sufficient cooling time for neat slicing and better texture.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: carrot cake, cream cheese bars, dessert bars, spiced carrot dessert, cream cheese swirl, easy baking dessert

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