Description
Enjoy these delicious one-bowl carrot cake cream cheese bars, featuring a moist, spiced cake base swirled with a tangy cream cheese topping. Perfect for potlucks or any sweet craving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots, loosely packed
- 4 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with heavy-duty non-stick aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Let it cool slightly.
- Add the egg, light brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and vanilla extract to the cooled melted butter. Whisk to combine.
- Add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the grated carrots.
- Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter. Gently swirl with a butter knife or spatula, being careful not to mix too deeply.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese for the best texture.
- Freshly grated carrots provide superior moisture and texture.
- Allowing the bars to cool completely enhances flavor and texture.
- Add chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for extra texture.
- For vegan bars, use plant-based butter, a flax egg, and vegan cream cheese.
- For gluten-free bars, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg