The Best Moist & Easy Carrot Cake Bars with Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting

Experience pure delight with these incredibly easy and sweet Carrot Cake Bars, perfectly suited for any occasion, from relaxed picnics to festive holidays. Each bar is generously topped with a rich, creamy, and tangy vanilla cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the cake’s warm spices. Infused with the comforting flavors of cinnamon, spicy nutmeg, and the unique addition of puréed carrots, these dessert bars offer an unmatched level of moisture and taste that will undoubtedly make them your new favorite treat!

Your New Go-To Recipe for Soft & Easy Carrot Cake Bars

This particular carrot bar recipe has been a cherished family favorite for decades, originating from an old church cookbook dating back to 1980. Its simplicity in preparation combined with its irresistible taste ensures that these bars are always quickly devoured. The tender, spiced cake base, coupled with the luscious cream cheese frosting, creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that carrot cake enthusiasts adore. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a comforting classic that brings joy with every bite.

When you need a reliable baking project to lift your spirits or impress guests, look no further. The batter for these carrot cake bars comes together effortlessly in minutes, yielding treats that are remarkably moist, pleasantly soft, and incredibly flavorful. What’s the secret to their unparalleled moistness and delicate texture? The unexpected, yet brilliant, use of baby food carrots! This innovative ingredient ensures the bars are wonderfully pillowy and light, elevating them beyond typical carrot cake. Prepare for your taste buds to be delighted and your guests to ask for the recipe!

These delightful carrot squares are versatile enough for any occasion. Whether you’re packing them for a picnic, preparing a dessert for holiday gatherings, or simply craving a satisfying sweet treat, they are guaranteed to please. This recipe first caught my attention years ago, and ever since discovering it in that beloved old-fashioned cookbook, we’ve been utterly hooked. The convenience and consistent deliciousness make these dessert bars a frequent request in our home, especially when those familiar, classic flavors of carrot cake beckon.

What is it about carrot cake that holds such a special place in your heart? For many, it’s the comforting nostalgia, the unique spice blend, and the undeniable magic that happens when tangy cream cheese meets sweet, earthy carrots. This iconic duo can be enjoyed in various forms, from elaborate layer cakes to fan-favorite carrot bundt cakes. While there’s plenty to rave about these culinary creations, the exceptional flavors of these carrot cake bars truly speak for themselves.

Celebrating Culinary Heritage: National Cookbook Month

October marks National Cookbook Month, a perfect time to delve into culinary history and discover timeless recipes. As an avid collector with hundreds of cookbooks, I can confidently say that old-fashioned church cookbooks remain my absolute favorites. Their pages are filled with community traditions and cherished family recipes, much like this very carrot cake bar recipe.

I recently participated in a special event alongside several fellow food bloggers, where we each showcased a recipe sourced from a cookbook of our choice. This particular recipe for carrot cake bars was lovingly adapted from the Centennial Cookbook of Havelock United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of these community treasures, proving that the best recipes often come from the most humble and heartfelt sources. You can explore the other wonderful selections from my blogger friends at the conclusion of this post, just below the printable recipe card.

Why This Carrot Cake Bar Recipe Stands Out

There are countless reasons to fall in love with these carrot cake bars. From their delightful ease of preparation to their satisfying flavor, they truly offer a superior dessert experience:

• Effortlessly Easy: One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its straightforward simplicity. The cake batter comes together quickly, and while the bars bake, you can whip up the dreamy cream cheese frosting. It’s a perfect recipe for both novice and experienced bakers seeking a delicious outcome without complexity. Minimal fuss, maximum flavor!
• Luxuriously Indulgent: These bars boast a rich, comforting flavor profile where the warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg truly shine. These spices create an exquisite harmony with the tangy, sweet cream cheese topping. The clever inclusion of baby food carrots is key, resulting in a super moist cake that practically melts in your mouth, making every bite a truly indulgent experience.
• Perfectly Sweet: Striking the ideal balance, these bars are sweet enough to satisfy any craving without being cloyingly sugary. The natural sweetness of the carrots and sugar is perfectly complemented by the slight tang of the cream cheese, making them incredibly enjoyable and hard to resist. They’re the ultimate answer to your sweet tooth desires.
• A Family Favorite: These cake bars are a guaranteed hit with all ages, making them perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering. I often find myself baking extra, knowing they disappear rapidly once served! Their approachable flavor and delightful texture ensure everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will ask for a second piece.

Essential Ingredients for Your Carrot Cake Bars

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delectable carrot cake bars. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients

Granulated Sugar: This provides the primary sweetness and contributes to the cake’s tender crumb. Using standard white sugar ensures consistent results for these soft and delightful bars.
All-Purpose Flour: A baking staple, all-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe due to its versatility and accessibility. Most home bakers always have it on hand, making this recipe convenient.
Baking Soda: As a crucial leavening agent, baking soda reacts with other ingredients to help the cake rise, ensuring a fluffy and light texture.
Salt: A pinch of salt is essential to enhance the overall flavor profile of the bars. It balances the sweetness and brings out the subtle nuances of the spices.
Ground Cinnamon: This warm, aromatic spice is a hallmark of classic carrot cake. While ground cinnamon is recommended for ease, if you only have cinnamon sticks, you can finely grate them or process them into a powder for use.
Ground Nutmeg: Complementing cinnamon beautifully, ground nutmeg adds a distinctive spicy and sweet depth to the cake. Like cinnamon, ground nutmeg is preferred, but whole nutmeg can be freshly grated for an even more intense aroma.

Wet Ingredients

Large Eggs: You’ll need four eggs for this recipe. For optimal mixing and texture, it’s best to remove them from the refrigerator ahead of time to allow them to come to room temperature.
Vegetable Oil: Oil contributes significantly to the incredible moistness of these bars, keeping them tender long after baking. Its neutral flavor allows the carrot and spice notes to shine.
Baby Food Carrots: This is the secret ingredient that truly sets this recipe apart! Using jars of puréed baby food carrots provides an unparalleled level of moisture and a smooth, consistent carrot flavor without the stringiness that can sometimes come from grated carrots. It results in an exceptionally soft and delicate crumb.

For the Cream Cheese Icing

Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, this finely milled sugar is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free, and delightfully sweet frosting. It dissolves easily, creating that signature velvety texture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: A must-have for any good cream cheese frosting, pure vanilla extract adds a warm, inviting flavor that enhances the overall sweetness and tanginess.
Softened Unsalted Butter: Using softened butter is key to achieving a light and fluffy frosting. It creams beautifully with the cream cheese, providing richness and structure. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy blending.
Softened Cream Cheese: The star of the frosting, softened cream cheese provides the characteristic tangy flavor and rich, fluffy texture. Room temperature cream cheese is vital for a smooth, lump-free consistency that pairs perfectly with the spiced carrot cake.

Wondering where to find jars of baby food carrots? Head to the baby food aisle at any well-stocked grocery store or supermarket. Most stores will carry various brands of puréed carrots, usually in small glass jars, making this unique ingredient easily accessible for your baking adventure.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Follow these instructions precisely to ensure your carrot cake bars turn out perfectly moist, flavorful, and utterly delicious. Refer to the accompanying images as a visual guide from left to right.

First Step – Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C). Next, prepare a jelly roll pan (measuring approximately 10 ½” x 15 ½”). You can grease the pan thoroughly using either butter or a non-stick cooking spray. This step is crucial to prevent the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal once baked. Set the prepared pan aside.

Second Step – Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, using either a sturdy wooden spoon or an electric hand or stand mixer, cream together the eggs and granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture becomes pale and noticeably fluffy. Then, gradually mix in the vegetable oil until it’s fully incorporated. Finally, gently stir in the puréed baby food carrots until they are just combined and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.

Third Step – Combine Dry with Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Sifting ensures that these ingredients are evenly distributed and helps to prevent lumps in the batter. Once sifted, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet carrot mixture, stirring gently as you go. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.

Fourth Step – Bake to Perfection

Carefully pour and spread the prepared cake batter evenly into your greased jelly roll pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on it. The cake is done when a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain the bars’ moistness.

Fifth Step – Cool Completely

Once baked, remove the carrot cake bars from the oven (not the “ocean” as mentioned in the original text – a humorous typo!) and place the pan on a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before attempting to frost it. This step is vital; frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt and slide off, creating a messy result.

Crafting the Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

While your carrot cake bars are cooling, it’s the perfect time to prepare the luscious cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and softened cream cheese until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth, with no lumps remaining. Then, add the pure vanilla extract and gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is wonderfully smooth, thick, and perfectly spreadable. The consistency should be rich and creamy.

Frosting Your Cooled Carrot Bars

Once the carrot cake is completely cool, spread the prepared cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a rubber spatula or an offset spatula. Ensure every inch is covered for that perfect sweet and tangy balance in every bite. After frosting, you can slice the cake into individual bars. Enjoy these delicious bars immediately, or refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve. Get ready to fall in love with these incredibly moist and flavorful treats!

You are going to LOVE these bars! Their ease of preparation combined with their irresistible flavor makes them an instant classic.

Craving More Carrot Cake? Pin This Recipe!

Don’t let the craving for perfectly moist and sweet carrot cake pass you by! Be sure to save this incredible recipe for carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting for future baking endeavors. These delightful bars, made simple in just one bowl, are incredibly easy to prepare and yield outstanding results every time. Pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever that carrot cake craving strikes!

Expert Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Bars

Elevate your baking with these helpful tips to ensure your carrot cake bars are nothing short of spectacular:

• Avoid Overbaking: The key to exceptionally moist carrot cake bars is precise baking. Keep a close eye on your oven and test for doneness at the lower end of the baking time. Overbaking, even by a few minutes, can result in dry, crumbly bars, so aim for just a clean toothpick.
• Enhance Flavor and Texture: For an extra layer of flavor and delightful crunch, consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter. If you enjoy a touch of fruitiness, raisins or dried cranberries can also be folded in. For an even more decadent treat, sprinkle some shredded coconut.
• Proper Storage for Freshness: To maintain their freshness and moist texture, store leftover carrot cake bars in a single layer within an airtight container. Keep them refrigerated for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual unfrosted bars for up to a month, then thaw and frost just before serving.
• Creative Variations: While baby food carrots are the star, feel free to experiment! For a seasonal twist, you can substitute the puréed carrots with an equal amount of puréed pumpkin or even squash. Adjust the spices slightly to complement the new vegetable for a unique flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Bars

These delightfully baked carrot cake bars are versatile and perfect for any meal or snack. They make a wonderful finale after hearty main course meals or a satisfying midday treat. I especially love bringing them along when we’re tailgating or heading to a potluck, as they’re always a crowd-pleaser and disappear quickly!

For a classic pairing, enjoy these carrot bars with a cold glass of your favorite milk. If you prefer a warm beverage, they are absolutely delicious alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea. The rich flavors of the cake and the creamy frosting create a perfect companion for any drink.

Explore More Delicious Bar & Dessert Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed these carrot cake bars, you’ll be thrilled to discover more tempting treats! Be sure to browse all of my dessert recipes to find something truly special that suits your taste. There’s a sweet creation for everyone!

• Bright & Zesty Lemon Brownies
• Decadent Double Chocolate Caramel Brownies
• Refreshing Citrus Carrot Cookies
• Cozy Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Irresistible Salted Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Bars