Description
A soft carrot cake base with a rich cream cheese swirl that feels like a hug in a bite, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup freshly grated carrots
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line an 8×8 inch pan.
- Cream the butter and light brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Fold the dry mix into the wet mix until almost combined.
- Stir in the freshly grated carrots.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth with the granulated sugar.
- Add the egg yolk to the cream cheese and mix until creamy.
- Spread half of the carrot batter into the pan and smooth the top.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the batter in spoonfuls.
- Spread the remaining carrot batter over the cream cheese in spots to create a marbled effect.
- Use a knife to gently swirl the layers for a pretty pattern.
- Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the top is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool the pan on a wire rack, then chill for at least one hour before cutting.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Dust the bars with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream for a simple finishing touch. They pair wonderfully with coffee or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: carrot cake, dessert bars, cream cheese, baking, indulgent treat