🥕 Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

These **Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting** are moist, spiced, and loaded with real carrots, walnuts, and raisins — topped with a rich, fluffy cream cheese frosting. A perfect dessert for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you need a sweet treat!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional)
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots (about 3 medium)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz (1/2 block) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Add wet ingredients: Stir in oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold in: Add grated carrots, nuts, and raisins. Mix until evenly distributed.
5. Pour into pan: Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before frosting.
8. Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
9. Frost bars: Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
10. Cut into squares and serve!

Tip: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts!

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