If you’re chasing the perfect blend of cozy spice and sweet, moist goodness in a convenient handheld treat, Carrot Cake Bars will absolutely hit the spot. Imagine everything you love about classic carrot cake—cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, tender carrot bits, and a subtle tang of pineapple—transformed into blissfully easy squares. Whether you’re looking for a new dessert for celebrations or the ultimate afternoon snack, these bars deliver big flavor with very little fuss. Ready to fall in love with your new favorite way to enjoy carrots?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in these Carrot Cake Bars serves a purpose, from texture to taste to visual appeal. The list is short and sweet, but the magic is in how these simple staples meld together to form something utterly irresistible!
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure and softness for cake bars that hold together without feeling dense.
- Baking powder: Helps the bars rise just enough, making them delightfully light but not crumbly.
- Baking soda: Reacts with the acidity in the pineapple for extra tenderness.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers a warm, classic spice note that’s essential for carrot cake flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a gentle, aromatic depth to the spice profile.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Lends a sweet, clean backdrop to support all the other flavors.
- Brown sugar: Infuses notes of caramel and extra moisture to keep your bars soft.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add lift for a cake-like crumb.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars moist and tender with a neutral flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds lovely aroma and warmth to round out the spice.
- Finely grated carrots: The star ingredient, bringing moisture, color, and a touch of natural sweetness.
- Crushed pineapple (drained): Secretly heightens both taste and tenderness with a fruity zing.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Give a bit of crunch and nutty richness if you love added texture.
- Shredded coconut (optional): For a hint of tropical flavor and even more moistness—totally your call.
How to Make Carrot Cake Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
First things first: set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and either line it with parchment paper or lightly grease it to keep your bars from sticking. This little step will make removing and slicing your Carrot Cake Bars so much easier once they’re baked and cooled.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures that all your leavening and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter, giving each bite a balanced flavor and perfect rise.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy. This mixture is the heartbeat of your Carrot Cake Bars, giving them their signature moist, rich texture.
Step 4: Add the Carrots and Pineapple
Stir the grated carrots and drained crushed pineapple into your wet mixture. This is where the magic happens—the carrots melt into the batter, while the pineapple keeps everything supremely tender with a pop of natural sweetness.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; you want your Carrot Cake Bars airy and light, not tough.
Step 6: Add Nuts and Coconut (Optional)
If you’re a fan of a little crunch or subtle chew, now’s the time to gently fold in chopped walnuts or pecans and shredded coconut. These extras turn your bars into a textural wonderland!
Step 7: Bake
Spread your batter evenly in the prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes—start checking at the 25-minute mark. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is lightly golden.
Step 8: Cool and Frost (If You Like!)
Let your Carrot Cake Bars cool completely in the pan. If you love a decadent finish, now’s your chance to slather on your favorite cream cheese frosting. Or keep it simple and classic—either way is delicious.
How to Serve Carrot Cake Bars
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar, a swipe of cream cheese frosting, or a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts on top brings a charming, bakery-style finish to each bar. For a special touch, a few curls of orange zest add color and a fresh citrus aroma.
Side Dishes
Serve Carrot Cake Bars with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or juicy orange segments for a refreshing contrast. They also pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, making them ideal for brunch spreads, afternoon snacks, or casual desserts with friends.
Creative Ways to Present
You can cut your Carrot Cake Bars into traditional squares, elegant rectangles, or even fun bite-sized cubes for party platters. Try layering them in jars with frosting for stunning dessert parfaits, or wrap individual bars in parchment for the ultimate lunchbox treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Carrot Cake Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. They’ll stay moist and flavorful—if you manage to keep them that long! Just be sure to keep them covered to prevent any dryness.
Freezing
Carrot Cake Bars freeze wonderfully. Once the bars are completely cooled (and frosted, if you’ve added cream cheese frosting), wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll last up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
If you love your bars a little warm, pop individual squares in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked softness, especially if your kitchen is a bit chilly or your bars came straight from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded carrots for Carrot Cake Bars?
Pre-shredded carrots tend to be a bit thicker and drier, so for the most moist and tender results, I recommend grating fresh carrots. The extra moisture from freshly grated carrots makes a world of difference in these bars!
Is it possible to make Carrot Cake Bars nut-free?
Absolutely! Simply omit the walnuts or pecans. The bars will still have fantastic flavor and texture, especially with the pineapple and coconut, which are completely nut-free.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes—you can swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just verify that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well for a worry-free treat.
What type Dessert
Cream cheese frosting is a classic partner for Carrot Cake Bars, bringing extra tang and richness. But you can also keep them plain, dust them with powdered sugar, or try a simple vanilla glaze for a lighter touch.
How can I make these bars a bit healthier?
To lighten things up, try substituting applesauce for half the oil, and consider cutting the sugar by a quarter if you prefer a less-sweet bar. They’ll still be plush, flavorful, and satisfying!
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give these Carrot Cake Bars a try—the combination of sweet carrots, gentle spices, and a hint of pineapple is always a hit in my house. They’re the kind of treat that brings smiles to every table. So grab your mixing bowls, gather those ingredients, and get ready to share some homemade goodness with your favorite people!
Print
Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of these moist and flavorful Carrot Cake Bars that are perfect for any occasion. Loaded with carrots, pineapple, and warm spices, these bars are a delightful treat for carrot cake lovers.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in carrots and pineapple.
- Blend dry and wet: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Fold in nuts and coconut.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the bars cool before slicing or frosting.
Notes
- Consider topping with cream cheese frosting.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Substitute half the oil with applesauce for a lower-fat option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
