Carrot Cake Bars with a Creamy Cheesecake Swirl
This beginner-friendly carrot cake delivers a soft, moist crumb with warm spices and a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holidays or everyday baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp clove
1 cup oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour cream
For Frosting:
16 oz cream cheese
1 cup butter
4–5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare cake pans with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
3. Mix oil and sugars until combined.
4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, carrots, and sour cream.
5. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture gently.
6. Divide batter into pans and bake 30–35 minutes.
7. Cool cakes completely before frosting.
8. Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, and sugar.
9. Assemble cake layers and frost evenly.
10. Decorate with walnuts and optional carrot piping.
Notes
Do not overmix batter to keep cake soft.
Use finely grated carrots for best texture.
Cool completely before frosting.
Find it online: https://pinchofwarmthbakes.com/the-best-carrot-cake-bars/