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Irresistibly Indulgent Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars

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These bars feature a tender, spiced cake base with a glossy, tangy cream cheese ribbon, offering a perfect balance of warm spice and cool finish.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  3. Melt the butter and add to the dry mixture along with the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft batter forms.
  4. Fold in grated carrots until distributed.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg yolk until smooth.
  6. Spread half of the carrot batter into the prepared pan, dollop with cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining carrot batter.
  7. Gently swirl the layers with a knife.
  8. Bake for 28 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least one hour before slicing.

Notes

For a different fat profile, replace butter with neutral oil. For vegan options, use plant-based butter and vegan cream cheese.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg