Description
These Moist Carrot Cake Blondies are the kind of dessert that makes people stop after the first bite and ask for the recipe. They have everything I love in an easy recipe: warm cinnamon spice, tender shredded carrots, rich cream cheese frosting, and a soft blondie texture that feels like the best mix of carrot cake bars and dessert bars. Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast treat with coffee, a healthy snack alternative for sweet cravings, easy dessert ideas for gatherings, or simple food ideas for spring and holiday baking, these blondies fit right in.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
6. Fold in the finely shredded carrots until evenly distributed.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Let the blondies cool completely in the pan.
10. For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth.
11. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until creamy and fluffy.
12. Spread the frosting over the cooled blondies.
13. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
14. Chill for 20 minutes if you want cleaner slices, then cut into 9 or 12 bars and serve.
Notes
Use finely shredded carrots so they melt into the batter and keep the blondies moist without making them stringy.
Make sure the blondies are fully cooled before frosting so the cream cheese layer stays thick, smooth, and easy to slice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 362
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
Keywords: moist carrot cake blondies, carrot cake bars, cream cheese frosting blondies, easy dessert bars, carrot dessert recipe, blondie recipe