Sweeten Your Easter Table With These Decadent Carrot Cake Bars

Looking for the perfect spring dessert that’s festive, indulgent, and just the right amount of nostalgic? Executive Pastry Chef Diana von Kalnassy of Vancouver’s C|Prime has shared her show-stopping recipe for Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Topping, and it’s everything you want in an Easter treat. Moist, spiced to perfection, and studded with pecans, raisins, and candied apricots, these bars are topped with a classic cream cheese frosting that takes them to irresistible new heights.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, heading to a potluck, or just want to impress your family with a homemade dessert, this recipe is a surefire hit that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds. —Vita Daily

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Topping

Ingredients

For the cake:
8 eggs
525 mL oil
2 ½ cups sugar
½ tsp ground cloves
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tbsp ground cinnamon
½ tbsp salt
½ tbsp baking powder
¼ tbsp baking soda
1 ¼ cups grated carrots
⅔ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup candied apricots

For the cream cheese icing:
1 cup cream cheese
½ cup icing sugar
½ cup soft butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
3. Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to beat the mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients: flour, cloves, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
5. Add the grated carrots to the dry mixture and mix well to combine.
6. Gently fold the carrot mixture into the egg and sugar blend until fully incorporated.
7. Stir in chopped pecans, raisins, and candied apricots.
8. Pour the batter into your desired mold or baking pan.
9. Bake at 350°F for approximately 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even baking.
10. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely before demolding.
11. Slice into bars and top with cream cheese icing as desired.

Pro Tip: Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a few decorative candied apricot pieces on top for a festive finishing touch.