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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 92 reviews

These Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine the moist, spiced goodness of a classic carrot cake with a luscious, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfectly balanced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, sweet brown sugar, and fresh grated carrots, these bars deliver a rich yet tender crumb, ideal for any dessert lover looking for a delightful treat.

Ingredients

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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 softened cream cheese
  • 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 prevent sticking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute, then allow it to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs when combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk together the melted butter, 1 large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Incorporate Carrots: Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots evenly throughout the batter to distribute moisture and flavor.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 large egg yolk and ½ cup granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  7. Assemble Bars: Pour the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the top and gently swirl it into the batter using a knife or skewer to create 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, ensuring the bars are fully cooked but still moist.
  9. Cool and Serve: 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 for serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is not too hot when mixing with eggs to prevent scrambling.
  • Freshly grated carrots provide better moisture and texture than pre-shredded.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender.
  • Allowing the bars to cool completely before slicing helps maintain their shape.

Keywords: Carrot Cake Bars, Cream Cheese Swirl, Spiced Desserts, Moist Carrot Cake, Easy Dessert Bars

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