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Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars

Delicious Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars for Sweet Moments

These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars combine warm spices with a luscious cream cheese swirl, delivering a delightful dessert that everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 9 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bar Mixture
  • 1 cup Light Brown Sugar adds deep, caramel-like sweetness to the bars.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt enhances the flavors of all ingredients.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract provides warmth and depth to the flavor.
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour gives structure to the bars.
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon adds cozy, warming spice notes.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg contributes a hint of earthy flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder ensures a light, airy texture.
  • 1 Large Egg binds ingredients together for cohesion.
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter creates a tender crumb, adding richness.
  • 1 cup Freshly Grated Carrots adds moisture and nutrition.
For the Cream Cheese Swirl
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened) provides a creamy, tangy swirl throughout the bars.
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk adds richness to the cream cheese mixture.
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar sweetens the cream cheese mixture.

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 line an 8x8-inch baking pan with non-stick foil.
  2. Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30-45 seconds and let it cool slightly.
  3. Whisk together 1 large egg, 1 cup of light brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the cooled butter until smooth.
  4. Sift in 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg; gently stir until just combined.
  5. Fold in 1 cup of freshly grated carrots into the batter evenly.
  6. Beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 large egg yolk, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar until smooth.
  7. Pour the carrot batter into the baking pan and dollop the cream cheese mixture on top; swirl gently.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool completely in the pan for about 2 hours before slicing into squares.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh carrots and ensure not to overmix the batter for a light texture.

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