Description
Refined take on a homely favorite, these moist carrot cake bars are enriched with creamy cottage cheese and topped with a light cream-cheese glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots), firmly packed
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese, drained lightly (small-curd for smoother texture)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/3 cup neutral oil (canola or light olive oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 small orange (optional)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2–3 tbsp milk (or cream) to loosen glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly oil the parchment.
- Whisk the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg—until evenly combined.
- In a bowl, blend the drained cottage cheese, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, oil, vanilla, and orange zest until the mixture becomes glossy and homogenous.
- Fold the grated carrots into the wet mixture, then gently incorporate the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake for 28–34 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then lift them out and cool completely before glazing.
- Meanwhile, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons milk until silky. Add more milk if needed.
- Spread or drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars and sprinkle with toasted walnuts while the glaze is still tacky.
- Chill briefly to set the glaze before slicing into neat squares.
Notes
For extra shine, finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 34 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg