When you can’t decide between carrot cake and cheesecake, these carrot cake bars are the move boos. The base is made with homemade carrot puree so it bakes up soft and full of flavor. Then I swirl in a cream cheese layer right on top of the carrot cake bars and let it bake together. Y’all the marbled look is so cute! And the best part is you ain’t stuck in the kitchen all day making these.
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How to Make Carrot Cake Bars
These step-by-step photos show how to make carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting, but be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions. Skip to the → Easy Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
1. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl
Whisk to combine.
2. Whisk the wet ingredients in a bowl
Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
3. Add the shredded carrots and walnuts
Mix just until incorporated.
4. Combine the cream cheese swirl ingredients in a separate bowl
Mix until smooth.
5. Pour the first layer of carrot cake batter into a prepared baking pan
Spread evenly.
6. Add the cream cheese mixture on top
Spread it out into an even layer.
7. Drop the remaining carrot batter in dollops over the top
Use a knife to swirl the layers together.
8. Bake your carrot cake bars until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
Let cool in the pan before slicing and serving.
PRO TIP: When you swirl the top, only drag your knife slightly through the surface. If you go too deep, the layers will blend together and you’ll lose that pretty contrast instead of getting clean swirls.
Full Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
Carrot Cake Bars Recipe
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Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Dish
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake Bars
- 12 ounces pureed carrots
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For Bars
- Preheat oven to 375F. Set rack to middle position. Prepare 13×9 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, add pureed carrots, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk together until evenly mixed.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and add shredded carrots and walnuts, if using.
For Cream Cheese Layer
- In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese and sugar with hand mixer or whisk.
- Add in egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Assemble
- Pour ¾ of carrot bar batter into prepared 13×9 baking pan.
- Using offset spatula, spread thin cream cheese layer on top of carrot batter until no batter is showing through. Spoon remaining carrot batter into dollops randomly over cream cheese layer.
- Swirl with butter knife the two layers together, creating a pretty swirl pattern.
- Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes in pan. Serve warm or room temperature.
Notes
How to Store
- Fridge: Keep the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Slide a piece of parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick.
- Freezer: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Grate your carrots on the small holes of the box grater. Very important if you want smooth carrot cake cream cheese bars.
- Keep an eye on the oven. These can dry out quick so check early and pull them as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let them cool before cutting. That cream cheese swirl needs time to set up, boos. Don’t rush it!
- Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry to slice. That’s my secret to clean, pretty bars every time.
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Recipe Help
Yep, but they will need to be baked in two separate baking dishes so they cook properly.
Most likely over-baked or over-mixed, boos. Also make sure you measured right. These got plenty moisture already from the egg, oil, and even the carrots.
You can, but they really don’t need it because they have the cheesecake swirl. If you want an icing, you can skip the cheesecake portion and simply bake the carrot cake batter on its own. Then add your favorite cream cheese frosting or other frosting on top after they’re cool.
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I have seen comments about yogurt but i don’t see it in the ingredient list or directions. ??
Hi Jen, the recipe was updated and I took out the yogurt 🙂
I dont see how to substitute mango yogurt. Please explain, I’d like to try these bars later today.
Thanks
The old version of this recipe called for mango, but has since been updated so that is what you see people talking about in the comments. The new recipe above does not use mango.
How did you puree the carrots? How many carrots is 12 oz. pureed?
Hi Bonnie, you can add the carrots to your food processor with a tiny bit of water to puree them.
Hi Jocelyn
Can you buy mango puree.
Hi Jackie, I haven’t seen it at the market but it is super easy to make. You can add your mango to a food processor or blender and a tiny bit of water and grind it up until smooth.
Hi Jocelyn, I was just stalking your fan page on FB, and saw these scrumptious bars! I don’t know how I missed them. I love Chobani, not only for lightening up baked goods, but for the moistness it creates. Enjoy your Sunday!!!
Awww thanks so much Carol. I adore greek yogurt in my baking now. It is becoming my favorite replacement.
Yum these look so good, I especially love the sound of the mango cream cheese!
Thanks so much!! Mango cream cheese makes me happy too.
Yum! I am all about carrot cake right now and these are calling my name. I love that you used the Chobani in it to lighten things up a bit!!!
Thanks so much! It definitely lightens them up a bit but gives such an incredibly mango flavor that’s just perfect!
Very creative! I love Chobani and have seen many recipes this one is one I will need to try
Thanks so much!! Chobani is super great right?
Oooh mango yogurt & carrot, I would never think of combining them. Lovely cake squares!
Yes it is a wonderful combo that you never would think would be so great! Thanks so much!