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Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot Cake Bars
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These Carrot Cake Bars offer a moist, spiced, and easy-to-handle treat that captures the classic flavors of carrot cake in a portable snack. Loaded with shredded carrots and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday pick-me-up. Simple to prepare with customizable options, they bring a cozy homemade feel to any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups grated carrots (freshly grated recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan adaptation)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or plant-based oil substitute for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure the bars come out easily after baking.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined, creating a rich, sweet base.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices throughout the batter.
  4. Add Carrots and Nuts: Fold the grated carrots and, if using, chopped walnuts into the dry ingredients to ensure even texture and flavor in every bite.
  5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender and moist.
  6. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This prevents crumbling and helps them hold together perfectly.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense, tough bars.
  • Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes with a toothpick test.
  • Cool the bars completely before slicing to maintain their shape.
  • Store bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh and moist longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake bars, moist carrot bars, spiced carrot cake, easy carrot dessert, gluten-free carrot bars, snack bars, homemade carrot cake, vegan carrot bars, carrot snack

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/carrot-cake-bars/