Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are as easy as 1-2-3 and disappear just that quickly! The incredible taste of your favorite carrot cake but in bar form! Looking for a quick treat? Make sure to try my 5 Minute Fantasy Bar and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars too!
Carrot Cake Bars
I have been craving, CRAVING like mad, my Nana’s To Die For Carrot Cake. But I didn’t want to make a cake (I’ve been feeling lazy), so I made bars instead. Absolutely a good call you guys.
So much easier with all the amazing flavor. Winning!
What Size Pan for Carrot Cake Bars?
My Nana used to always make her cake in a 9×13 baking dish. I took it one step further and made it in a 10 x 15 jelly roll pan. The bars take a little less time to bake and slathering the frosting on top is a breeze.
I won’t even tell you how many little fingers came in for a taste at this stage.
Can Carrot Cake Bars Be Made Into A Layered Cake?
Yes! This recipe is the same one I use in my famous Carrot Cake recipe. It’s the carrot cake with pineapple that will have everyone asking for the recipe. The directions for baking are just a little bit different. So, if you prefer, you can absolutely turn these bars into a layered cake.
What Kind Of Frosting Goes on Carrot Cake?
I say the answer to that question is unequivocally cream cheese frosting. This cream cheese frosting that I used on these bars is my favorite. It’s super simple, fabulously rich, and utterly delicious.
It goes perfectly on these carrot cake bars.
Once you get that frosting spread you can leave it as is or dump on some sprinkles or even make little carrots for the top…
My boys think I’m extra-special when I do stuff like this. You can also find those candy carrots that come out around Easter and pop them on top for decoration if you like.
These carrot cake bars are perfectly sweet and so incredibly moist, you won’t believe how quickly they disappear. This recipe makes so many bars, but somehow, it’s just never enough.
When you don’t want to mess around with a layered cake but you’re craving carrot cake – make these bars instead!
Try these other great carrot recipes!
- To Die For Carrot Cake
- Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread
- Zucchini Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
- 5 Minute Rainbow Carrot Pecan Salad
How To Make Carrot Cake Bars
Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cake:
One
- 1¼ cups unsweetened applesauce or oil, this is what my Nana used
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
Two
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Three
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts optional
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup crushed pineapple not drained! {use the pineapple in JUICE not syrup}
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ c butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 lb powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine #1 ingredients. Add #2 ingredients. Stir in #3 ingredients.
- Pour into a lightly greased or parchment lined 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely!
For the frosting:
- Beat the butter and cream cheese until nice and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until nice and smooth.
- Spread on top of the cooled cake bars and serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published March 24, 2015, updated March 28, 2019.
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Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Trish these look to die for!! Can I have that whole stack pretty please? 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These bars are so cute and I love that frosting! Great decorating 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Carrot cake is my favorite! Love the carrots you made with sprinkles!
Mommy says
Love that you made bars! Thank you.
Chris says
These were a huge hit at the office. Thanks babe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You’re welcome!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Carrot cake is always a win in my book! Plus the little carrots on top! Yes!
marcie says
I kind of want to run to my kitchen and make these right now! They look amazing, Trish! 🙂
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
I do love any and all kind of carrot cake treats!!! Those little carrots on top are the cutest!!!
Amanda says
What a perfectly fun cake! Love the carrot on top 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love that you made bars! My husband’s been craving for carrot cake too but I’ve been too lazy to make a full cake. These look amazing!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
gosh you have such skill to you, these are just amazing. to both look at, and im positive, to taste!!!
Mir says
Awww, that little carrot on top is just too cute! No wonder your boys are into it.
Love the ease of this. Sometimes you don’t feel like making a layer cake, but want the same flavors anyway. Win win!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
These are absolutely perfect Trish!!
Liz says
I like bars better. Thanks Trish for the nice recipe.
heather @french press says
I am all over that cream cheese frosting, but your carrots on top are seriously making think I need to get to the store so I can make my own