If you have a soft spot for decadent desserts and crave that perfect balance between spice, sweetness, and creaminess, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Imagine tender, warmly spiced carrot cake baked into easy bars, topped with a luxuriously silky cream cheese frosting enhanced by nutty browned butter. It’s everything you love about a classic carrot cake, condensed into a convenient, slice-and-serve treat that’s equally perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or a festive gathering. Trust me, these bars have quickly become my go-to when I want something impressive yet fuss-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, familiar, and absolutely essential for bringing the rich flavors and moist texture of this dessert to life. From the fragrant spices to the finely grated carrots, each component plays a special role in making this recipe truly unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents that help the bars rise perfectly.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: Classic warming spices that give carrot cake its signature cozy flavor.
- Salt: A pinch to balance and enhance all the sweet and spicy notes.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness.
- Granulated and brown sugar: A sweet combo that adds moisture and depth of flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars ultra-moist without overpowering the taste.
- Vanilla extract: A subtle but essential flavor booster.
- Finely grated carrots: The star ingredient lending natural sweetness, moisture, and a pop of color.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds delightful crunch and nutty warmth.
- Unsalted butter (for frosting): Browned to nutty perfection to elevate the cream cheese frosting.
- Cream cheese: The creamy base for the tangy frosting that contrasts the spiced cake beautifully.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetness and silky texture for the frosting.
- Vanilla extract and pinch of salt (for frosting): Final flavor enhancers that tie everything together.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and preparing an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or a light greasing. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. This step ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and texture throughout your carrot cake bars.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients and Add Carrots
In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs together with both sugars, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. Stir in the finely grated carrots and, if you’re using them, the chopped nuts. The finely grated carrots melt into the batter, keeping it moist and tender without overwhelming texture.
Step 3: Blend Dry and Wet Mixtures
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mix and stir gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to be well blended but still light and tender once baked. Pour this luscious batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake the bars in your preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial to avoid your frosting melting and sliding off.
Step 5: Make the Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
For the frosting, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep a close eye and stir occasionally as the butter foams and begins to turn golden brown, releasing a delicious nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add the browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat everything together until the frosting is fluffy and creamy.
Step 6: Frost and Slice
Spread the luscious browned butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled carrot cake bars. Once frosted, slice into 12 generous squares or bars and get ready to enjoy or share with your favorite dessert lovers!
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For a rustic yet elegant touch, sprinkle some toasted chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the frosting just before serving. A grating of fresh nutmeg or a light dusting of cinnamon can also add extra aromatic appeal. If you’re feeling playful, a drizzle of honey or a few toasted coconut flakes can bring exciting new layers of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
These bars are rich and flavorful enough to hold the spotlight, but they pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream to round out the indulgence. For a brighter contrast, fresh fruit like berries or a citrus salad complements the warm spices perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these homemade carrot cake bars into bite-sized treats for parties by cutting them into small squares and serving them on a decorative platter. You can also layer them in clear dessert cups with whipped cream and a sprinkling of extra nuts for an elegant parfait-style presentation. Pack them in a lunchbox or gift them wrapped in parchment paper tied with twine to share a little homemade happiness with friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days. The frosting holds up beautifully when chilled, making these bars a convenient treat to enjoy throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to stock up, these bars freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, making meal prep or last-minute dessert stress-free.
Reheating
For the best flavor and texture, thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator. If you want a fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm them gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds but avoid too much heat to protect the frosting. Enjoy them slightly chilled or bring them to room temperature to appreciate the full depth of flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nuts or skip them altogether?
Absolutely! While walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and flavor, you can leave them out for a nut-free version or substitute with toasted almonds or even sunflower seeds for a unique twist.
Is it necessary to brown the butter for the frosting?
Browning the butter brings a rich, nutty depth that elevates this frosting beyond the ordinary. However, if you’re short on time, regular melted butter still tastes delicious but won’t have that warm caramelized flavor.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to keep the texture just right.
How finely should the carrots be grated?
Very fine grating is best to ensure the carrot moisture integrates seamlessly into the batter, resulting in moist bars without large shreds. Using a box grater or food processor works wonders here.
Can I prepare these bars ahead of time without frosting?
Definitely! You can bake the bars and refrigerate or freeze them unfrosted. Add the browned butter cream cheese frosting just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe enough to anyone who loves a good homemade dessert filled with warmth, spice, and creamy goodness. It’s one of those recipes that feels special but is surprisingly simple to pull off, perfect for sharing or savoring yourself. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and indulge in a batch of these heavenly bars — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Carrot Cake Bars feature moist, spiced carrot cake baked into convenient bars and topped with a rich browned butter cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a dessert or snack, these bars combine classic carrot cake flavors with the nutty depth of browned butter, creating a comforting treat that’s easy to make and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake Bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Add carrots and nuts: Stir the finely grated carrots into the wet mixture. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Combine batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix to keep the bars tender.
- Bake the bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the carrot cake bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make browned butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add the browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy and well combined.
- Frost and serve: Spread the browned butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake bars. Slice into 12 bars and serve.
Notes
- For extra moist bars, finely grate the carrots using a box grater or a food processor.
- You can toast the nuts lightly before adding for a deeper flavor.
- Store the carrot cake bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep the frosting fresh.
- Optional: substitute walnuts with pecans according to preference.
