Soft Carrot Cake Bars

There’s something incredibly comforting about a delicious batch of Soft Carrot Cake Bars. Picture this: a rainy afternoon, the smell of warm spices wafting through the kitchen, and the excitement of sharing a delectable treat with family or friends. That’s the magic of these bars. They’re not just any dessert; they’re a nostalgic nod to classic carrot cake, but in a fun, easy-to-eat format. As I prepared to bake, I couldn’t help but think of how much I would love to share these with my loved ones, especially during the cozy fall season.

The base is soft and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness, while the cream cheese glaze adds a touch of richness that takes it over the top. Whenever I bite into one of these bars, I’m reminded of the times my grandmother would bake carrot cake for special occasions. The joy these bars bring is simply unmatched, making them perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or even just a simple dessert at home. So, grab your ingredients, and let’s create something special together!

What You’ll Need for Soft Carrot Cake Bars

To create these lovely Soft Carrot Cake Bars, you’ll need a selection of ingredients that blend beautifully. Each component plays a crucial role, from the sweetness of the brown sugar to the richness of the cream cheese glaze. The key players are the grated carrots that provide moisture and flavor and the warm spices that bring everything together.

• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, melted): This adds richness and helps create a tender texture.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed): Sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth.
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger: A slight spice that complements the sweetness.
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Provides a cozy aroma.
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves: Adds a rich, warm flavor.
• ½ teaspoon allspice: A combination of spices for added complexity.
• Pinch salt: Balances the sweetness.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base for the bars.
• 1 ½ cups grated carrots (about 3 to 4 medium/large carrots): The star of the show, providing moisture and flavor.
• About ½ to 1 cup optional add-ins: Nuts, dried fruit, or raisins for extra texture.
• About 1 cup confectioners’ sugar: Essential for the creamy glaze.
• 1 heaping tablespoon cream cheese (softened): Adds richness to the glaze.
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened): Helps blend the glaze smoothly.
• Splash of cream or milk: Adjusts the glaze consistency if necessary.

Step by Step Instructions for Soft Carrot Cake Bars

Making these Soft Carrot Cake Bars is a fun and straightforward process. With a little bit of love and attention, you’ll have a beautiful dessert to share. Let’s jump right into the steps!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This step is crucial to ensure your bars release easily.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 1 minute on high power. Be careful not to overheat it; just until it’s melted will do.
3. Let the melted butter cool for a moment before adding the egg to avoid scrambling. Once cooled, whisk in the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and any salt if using until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and glossy.
4. Next, gently fold in the flour. Stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can toughen your bars.
5. Now, add the grated carrots into the batter and gently fold them in. The carrots should be evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. If you’re using any optional add-ins like nuts or dried fruit, add them now and stir to combine.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Take your time with this step to ensure even baking.
8. Bake for about 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs but no batter. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
9. Once baked, allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes before glazing. This helps them set and makes glazing easier.
10. While the bars are cooling, prepare the glaze by adding the confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, and butter into a medium bowl. Whisk vigorously until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a splash of cream or milk; if it’s too thin, add a bit more confectioners’ sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
11. Once the bars are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. You can use a squirt bottle for a fun design or simply spoon it over. If you prefer, spread the glaze evenly to cover the bars completely. Note that this will hide the lovely carrot flecks, so it’s up to you!

Things Worth Knowing

Recipe Notes about Soft Carrot Cake Bars

These tips will help you get the most out of your Soft Carrot Cake Bars experience. From storage suggestions to serving ideas, these notes are essential for a perfect bake.

• Storage: Keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
• Freezing: These bars freeze well! Place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag, and they can last up to 6 months.
• Pairing: Enjoy these bars with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon snack.
• Serving: These bars are perfect for parties and events; cut them into small squares for easy serving.
• Flavor Enhancement: The flavors of these bars actually improve after a day or two as they sit, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time.

How to Enjoy Soft Carrot Cake Bars

When it comes to enjoying your Soft Carrot Cake Bars, there are endless possibilities. Here are some ideas to elevate your serving experience:

• Afternoon Treat: These bars make a lovely afternoon snack paired with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
• Perfect for Parties: Cut them into bite-size squares to serve at gatherings. They’re an excellent addition to any dessert table.
• Seasonal Celebrations: Serve these delicious bars during fall festivities or Easter celebrations for a sweet touch.
• Storage Tips: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. They also freeze beautifully!
• Versatile Dessert: Feel free to top these bars with additional toppings like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flair.
• Shared Moments: These bars are perfect for sharing with friends and family, creating moments filled with warmth and sweetness.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Soft Carrot Cake Bars are truly a delightful treat that brings back memories of family gatherings and warm afternoons. With their moist texture and rich flavors, they are bound to become a favorite in your household. Don’t miss out on the chance to create these delicious bars; I promise they’ll bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

So, gather your ingredients and whip up a batch today. You won’t regret it!

Soft Carrot Cake Bars

The ultimate comfort food for any occasion, Soft Carrot Cake Bars are moist, flavorful, and topped with a rich cream cheese glaze. Perfect for sharing, they bring joy and warmth to your table. Bake a batch tonight!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 26 minutes mins

Total Time 41 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Calories: 200

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup Unsalted Butter 1 stick, melted
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup Light Brown Sugar packed
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon not teaspoon
• ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves
• ½ teaspoon Allspice
• pinch Salt optional and to taste
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 ½ cups Grated Carrots measured loosely (about 3 -4 med/large carrots)
• about ½ to 1 cup Optional Add-Ins nuts, dried fruit, raisins, etc.
• about 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar + more if necessary for consistency
• 1 heaping tablespoon Cream Cheese softened
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter softened
• splash Cream or Milk optional and only if necessary for consistency

Equipment

• 8×8 inch Baking Pan
• Large, Microwave-Safe Bowl
• Medium Bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
3. Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, optional salt, and whisk until combined.
4. Add the flour and stir until just combined; don’t overmix.
5. Add carrots and stir to combine.
6. Add any optional add-ins and stir to combine.
7. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
8. Bake for about 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter.
9. Allow bars to cool in pan for about 30 minutes before glazing.
10. In a medium bowl, add confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, butter, and whisk vigorously until smooth. As necessary, add additional sugar (if glaze seems too thin) or splash of milk (if it seems too thick) to reach desired consistency.
11. Optionally, add glaze to a squirt bottle and evenly glaze the bars, or simply add glaze using a spoon. Optionally, evenly spread the glaze in a thin coating over the bars, noting you will cover up the visual appeal of the carrot flecks.

Notes

• Tip 1: I’m comfortable storing glazed bars at room temp, but if you’re not, store them in the fridge noting they will dry out more rapidly.
• Tip 2: Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• Tip 3: Bars get softer on days 2 and 3 and the flavors marry; I think they peak 1-2 days after baking.

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Meet Paige Wilson

I’m our photographer and stylist, so it’s my job to make our food look as sunny and delicious as it tastes. I’m obsessed with finding that perfect light. When I’m not behind the lens, I’m in the kitchen as the official “chief taster.” I work closely with Hailey and Brooke to cook, test, and refine the flavors for every single recipe until it’s just right.