These carrot cake bars are an ideal treat for spring gatherings. The bars are soft, moist, and packed with warm spice. A generous layer of homemade cream cheese frosting makes them irresistible—perfect for Easter, a baby shower, or any sunny afternoon dessert. Follow these simple steps to bake a panful of crowd-pleasing carrot cake bars.

What You’ll Need to Make Carrot Cake Bars

• Avocado oil or another mild-flavored oil
• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar, packed
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Finely grated carrots (grate fresh before adding to the batter)
• Optional: chopped nuts or raisins (optional, omitted in the photos)

For the Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars

The process is straightforward and well suited to bakers of all skill levels. Below is an overview of each major step; full measurements and detailed instructions are included in the recipe section further down.

1. Prepare the batter. Whisk together the wet ingredients, then add the dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Fold in the grated carrots gently so they stay evenly distributed.
2. Bake the bars. Pour the batter into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish and smooth the top. Bake about 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Move the pan to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
3. Make the frosting. While the bars cool, beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
4. Frost and serve. Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and enjoy.

Other Easter Recipes

• Orange Rolls
• Mini Cadbury Egg Cheesecakes
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Broccoli Salad
• Easter Muddy Buddies
• Mango Mojitos (mocktail)
• Instant Pot Deviled Eggs

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear about it—leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share a photo on Instagram and tag @TheAlexDaynes so I can see your creations!

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Yield: 9 bars

Carrot Cake Bars

Easy carrot cake bars that are perfectly moist and delicious, finished with a creamy layer of cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
50 minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup avocado oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely grated carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the oil and both sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla, whisking until smooth.
3. Add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir until the batter is smooth, then fold in the grated carrots.
4. Pour the batter into a greased 9×9-inch glass baking dish and spread evenly. Bake 30–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
5. Prepare the frosting by beating together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over the cooled bars, slice, and serve.