Easy Carrot Cake Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This Carrot Pound Cake with Vanilla Glaze is rich, buttery, and irresistibly moist—loaded with freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and a sweet, creamy glaze that melts over every slice. It's the perfect balance of cozy and classy, making it ideal for both everyday indulgence and special occasions. Whether you serve it at brunch or as a showstopping dessert, one bite and you'll be hooked!
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- Optional ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk add more to reach desired consistency
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or a bundt pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, beat together the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Carrots and Nuts
- Fold in the grated carrots and, if using, the chopped nuts.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
- Gently add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—avoid overmixing.
- Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Vanilla Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve
- Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled cake. Let it set for 15–20 minutes before slicing.