Carrot Cake Bars
A moist cake-like bar with carrots& dark chocolate chips- topped with a buttery-sweet cream cheese frosting!
Hello, sweet friends!
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite early spring dessert recipes.
Of course, here in Minnesota, it is still VERY much winter with temperatures falling to -5 this morning along with a few more inches of snow last night.
But spring IS on its way, and friends, I really cannot wait for it to get here!
And honestly, I’m not quite sure why carrot cake is traditionally a spring dessert anyway?
I mean seriously? If you think about it, even though there is no substitute for carrots picked straight from the garden, they are available all year long.
And in this case, tucked inside a deliciously moist cake-like bar, topped with a decadently creamy frosting, does it really matter where they came from?
Speaking of those carrots! The usual carrot cake calls for around 2 cups! This recipe? 3 1/2 cups! That’s around seven carrots that need shredding, so this girl grabs her food processor for a little assistance!
Speaking of easy…this “cake’ recipe is definitely just that. Because it’s just one pan and forget the fancy layers.
Just simple ingredients that I bet you already have in your refrigerator and pantry. Eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, flour, and a touch of cinnamon. And since I already had my food processor out for the carrots, I thought why not just use it to blend up the batter?
Ah, the simple life. Less is more. Especially when it comes to washing dishes! Am I right?
Oh yes, and did I mention there is also a ‘secret’ ingredient that makes these bars OVER THE TOP scrumptious? Instead of the usual raisins or nuts that most cake recipes call for, I add in some dark chocolate chips!
Wait a sec! Chocolate in carrot cake? Yes, you read that right and you won’t believe how amazing these two ingredients are together!
But don’t take my word for it! Try the recipe and taste for yourself!
Of course, we can’t forget the decadent oh so delicious cream cheese frosting that I top these moist bars with.
Oh my goodness…
I just know you’re family is going to love it as much as mine does!
I know this because before I could say, “Don’t cut the cake until I finish taking some photos”, it was cut. And devoured. And cut again.
Here’s the full recipe!
Carrot Cake
A moist carrot cake filled with chocolate chips and topped with a SUPER creamy cream cheese frosting!
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 stick butter softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
-
For Cake Preheat the oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. Combine sugar, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl or food processor. Beat or pulse until creamy. Slowly add in flour, baking soda, salt, and carrots. Mix until combined. Pour the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon and chocolate chips over the top. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
For Frosting Combine all frosting ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. Spread over cake.
Recipe Notes
This carrot cake is definitely a family favorite at Easter time, but why wait until then?
Looking for more dessert recipes?
Check these out!
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Oh Christine,
You got my attention when you said no raisins. We aren’t fans and imagining chocolate in this is exciting!
You can never go wrong adding chocolate to anything, just saying.
Have a great afternoon!
Cindy
I just love coming over here and seeing what’s cooking/baking in your kitchen. Christine this cake is a must for me to try. I pinned this to fix for my next Friday night game night with friends. They are going to love this.
Thank you so much, Terrie! I hope you and yours enjoy it! My family gobbled it up in one sitting! LOL!
Thank you so much, Cindy! I like raisins but hubby doesn’t so I compromised and put something we both love in it!!! You are SO right, you can’t go wrong with adding chocolate in anything!! I hope you’re having a fabulous day!
I’m over here complaining that it’s too cold and it’s in the 30’s. I don’t know what I’d do if it was -5!! That’s way too cold for me! This carrot cake recipe looks delicious! Chocolate chips? Yes, please!!
LOL, Michelle, it’s -19 today!! I think the older I get the more I hate the cold! Cake (and chocolate) are good helpers for forgetting how cold it is outside!!