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Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars

Delicious Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Everyone Will Love

These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the richness of carrot cake with a creamy swirl, making them deliciously irresistible.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup Light Brown Sugar Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness to the bars.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Kosher Salt Enhances the flavors of all ingredients beautifully.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Brings warmth and depth to the cake's flavor.
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour Provides structure and stability to the bars.
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon Infuses a cozy, warming spice into the mixture.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg Adds a hint of earthiness that elevates the taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Ensures a light, airy texture for perfect bars.
  • 1 large Egg Binds all ingredients together for better structure.
  • 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter Creates a tender crumb and rich texture.
  • 1.5 cups Freshly Grated Carrots Adds moisture and nutrition; avoid pre-packed for best results.
For the Cream Cheese Swirl
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened) Provides a creamy, tangy swirl that elevates the dessert.
  • 1 large Egg Yolk Adds richness to the cream cheese mixture for velvety goodness.
  • 0.25 cup Granulated Sugar Sweetens the cream cheese, balancing out the flavors perfectly.

Equipment

  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • microwave-safe bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking pan.
  2. Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter until it's completely liquid, then let it cool slightly.
  3. Whisk the melted butter with one large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, a pinch of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Sift in 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, then gently stir together.
  5. Fold in 1 ½ cups of freshly grated carrots.
  6. In a separate bowl, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese, one large egg yolk, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar until smooth.
  7. Pour the carrot cake batter into your prepared pan and dollop the cream cheese mixture on top, swirling gently.
  8. Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
  9. Cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for best results. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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