Carrot bars baby food

Sheet Pan Carrot Cake Bars

Published : March 24, 2019 Updated : October 25, 2020 by Together As Family 3 Comments

CARROT CAKE BARS

I have found that you either love carrot cake or hate it. Which one are you? I am a carrot cake lover!

There are so many different types of carrot cake out there. Raisins, pineapple, nuts.... I am pretty sure that every carrot cake lover has their preference.

Lucky for y'all I aim to please and I have quite a few variations of carrot cake on the blog. Not one with raisins in it cause I just can't. Sorry.

Today's recipe for carrot cake bars require no peeling and shredding carrots! So if you're one of those people that likes carrot cake but not all the stuff and chunks in it, then you will definitely want to make these bars.

Carrot cake has such a warm and sweet spice to it and then top it with some tangy cram cheese frosting and it's pure heaven.

I am not a big frosting lover but cream cheese frosting is something I can tolerate because it's not overly sweet and has the perfect tang that pairs nicely with the sweet and moist carrot cake.

Topped with chopped walnuts and you won't be able to stop yourself from eating it.

Don't let the baby food turn you off to these bars because they are seriously amazing and you would never even know that there is baby food in them! I have to admit that I don't mind baby food at all.

It's like pureed fruit and I'd be lying if I said I have never licked the baby spoon after feeing my kids 🙂

The baby food acts like applesauce in these bars. It provides softness and richness with a lower fat ingredient.

HOW TO MAKE SHEET PAN CARROT CAKE BARS

Combine sugar, oil, eggs, and carrot baby food puree. Add in your dry ingredients and mix together.
Pour the batter into a cookie sheet with sides and bake in the oven.
Once the bars have cooled completely you can frost them with a whipped cream cheese frosting.
Serve these carrot cake bars at room temperature or cold. I prefer them cold.

MY TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

Make sure you spray the cookie sheet well with cooking spray to prevent any sticking.
To make clean knife cuts in the bars, wet the knife with warm water and then wipe it dry between cuts. This helps the knife cuts be clean and precise.
The most important thing is to let the bars cool completely before frosting. They cannot even be a little but warm when frosted. I always make these bars the day before and leave them out on the counter overnight. I frost them the next day and then leave them in the fridge until I need them. I prefer them cold from the fridge.
If you really, really, really love frosting then feel free to double the frosting recipe (or 1 ½ x the recipe). I use the recipe as directed and think it's enough frosting.

TRY THESE OTHER CARROT CAKE RECIPES

Pineapple Pecan Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Whoopie Pies
Layered Carrot Cake with Pineapple Frosting
Carrot Banana Bread
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake

Sheet Pan Carrot Cake Bars

Jessica

Sheet Pan Carrot Cake Bars are made with a surprise ingredient that makes them so moist, soft, and easy to make - carrot baby food! No shredding and peeling carrots needed for these delicious carrot cake bars topped with a whipped cream cheese frosting.

4.67 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 35 carrot cake bars

Calories 138 kcal

carrot cake bars

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
12 ounces carrot baby food ( 3 jars - 4 oz each)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

whipped cream cheese frosting

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon full-fat sour cream
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet with sides(12"x18") by spraying with cooking spray.
In large bowl, add sugar, oil, eggs, and carrot baby food. Beat together with a handheld blender until combined together and smooth.
Add in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Blend together just until combined and no flour streaks remain.
Pour batter into the prepared cookie sheet and make sure it's spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Edges should be slightly pulled away form sides, the top will be a golden brown and then center should not be wet and jiggly. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
Let cool completely before frosting.
To make frosting: beat together the butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until combined and smooth. Add sour cream, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. If wanted, add more or less milk depending on the consistency wanted.

Depending on how big or small you want these bars, you may get more or less than serving suggestion. I cut them rather big for the pictures but normally would cut them into smaller pieces so I would end up with about 30 servings.

Garnish with chopped walnuts. I found the cute carrot shapes at Target. They are completely not necessary but if you see them at the store, grab them, cause they look so cute on the bars.

Make sure to let the bars cool completely before frosting. I always make the bars the night before I need them. Once cooled, I cover the sheet pan with plastic wrap and let it sit on the counter overnight. I frost them the next day.

Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1749IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Keyword carrot cake, carrot cake bars, easter recipe

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Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Jump to Recipe

Easy and sweet “picnic” Carrot Cake Bars are made with creamy and tangy vanilla cream cheese icing and will make anyone happy! Flavors of cinnamon, puréed carrots, and spicy nutmeg are combined with sugar to create the best dessert bars you’ll ever eat!

Soft and Easy Carrot Bars Recipe

I love this carrot bar recipe! It’s so easy to make, and each and every time that I do, they are devoured. I got this recipe out of an old church cookbook from 1980. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect topper for these delicious carrot cake bars!

Bake your feelings away with this baking recipe. The batter comes together in minutes and creates treats that are incredibly moist, pleasant, and definite dealbreakers for carrot cake lovers. Baby food carrots allow this recipe to be pillowy and filled with light textures that will make your mouth water! Who would have thought?

These carrot squares are great for picnics, holidays, and anytime you need to impress someone else (or yourself.) This is one of those recipes that really caught my attention when I discovered it years ago. Ever since I found this carrot recipe in the old-fashioned cookbook I mentioned earlier, we’ve been hooked ever since and make these dessert bars anytime we crave those classic flavors of carrot cake.

What is it about carrot cake that you just love? There is nothing quite like the nostalgia you can feel from eating your favorite carrot-flavored desserts. The magical duo–cream cheese and carrot cake–come in many forms such as this fan-favorite carrot bundt cake. There are so many great things to say about these recipes, but I will let the flavors do all the talking!

National Cookbook Month

October is National Cookbook Month. I have hundreds of cookbooks, but by far, my favorites are the good old-fashioned church cookbooks! I am participating in an event with a few other bloggers that showcase recipes from a cookbook of their choosing. You Can see what all of them chose at the end of this post, underneath the printable recipe card.

This recipe was adapted from one that I found in the Centennial Cookbook from Havelock United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Why This Recipe is the Best

Easy: One of my very favorite things about this recipe is just how simple it is! The cream cheese frosting can easily come together while the carrot cake bars cook!
Indulgent: The rich flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg shine through this recipe and create the perfect pair with the cream cheese topping. The baby food carrots allow the cake to be super moist and so easy to bite into.
Sweet: Not too sweet, but sweet enough, these bars are the best way to satisfy your sweet tooth desires!
Perfect for the Family: Great for all ages, everyone will love these cake bars. I always make sure to bake extra because I know my family will eat all of them!

Ingredients Needed

Dry Ingredients

Sugar: Granulated white sugar is used to make these cake bars as sweet and soft as they can be.
Flour: All-purpose flour is an easy flour to use for this recipe because everyone usually always has it on hand!
Baking Soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that allows the cake to rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Salt gives this recipe some extra flavor and balances out the sweet flavors!
Cinnamon: Use ground cinnamon for these carrot cake bars. If you only have cinnamon sticks, then you can grate them with a boxed grater or break them up into pieces and put them in the food processor.
Nutmeg: Use ground nutmeg if you can! Of course, you can grate the whole nutmeg if that is all you have.

Wet Ingredients

Eggs: You will need four eggs for this recipe. Make sure you remove them from the fridge ahead of time!
Carrots: The secret to this recipe is using jars of baby food carrots. Puréed carrots give these bars extra moisture and true carrot flavors that are so delicious.

For the Icing

Powdered Sugar: Also known as icing or confectioner’s sugar, this light sugar is used to make the cream cheese frosting sweet and super delicious.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract gives the frosting yummy flavors of warm vanilla that are definitely a must!
Butter: Use either salted or unsalted butter for the frosting to make it extra good. Make sure the butter is softened or it will be difficult to blend the frosting!
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a frosting that is fluffy and rich with bold flavors. The smooth flavors of cream cheese are the best combination with the carrot cake.

Don’t know where to find jars of baby food? Find carrot baby food in the baby section at well-stocked grocery stores or supermarkets. Stores will usually always have jars of baby carrots.

How to Make Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Make sure to follow these steps word by word so your cake bars will come out delicious! Follow the pictures from left to right.

First Step – Preheat Oven

First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a jelly roll pan (10 ½” x 15 ½”) and set it aside. You can grease the pan with either butter or spray oil.

Second Step – Cream Ingredients

With a wooden spoon or electric or stand mixer, cream together the eggs and sugar until fluffy. After that, mix in the oil. Next, stir the carrots until just mixed and smooth.

Third Step – Sift Dry Ingredients

Next, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg and pour the sifted dry ingredients into the carrot mixture. Meanwhile, stir the mixture as you go.

Fourth Step – Bake

Next, spread the cake batter into the prepared jelly roll pan. After that, bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Keep in mind different ovens will have different baking times and temperatures.

Fifth Step – Cool

Next, remove the carrot cake bars from the ocean and allow them to cool while you prepare the frosting.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

Meanwhile, cream together the butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Then, add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Next, mix the frosting until very smooth and no lumps remain.

Frost the Carrot Bars

Finally, frost the cooled cake with a rubber spatula or offset spatula. Make to evenly spread the frosting on top.

Enjoy these bars immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Enjoy! You are going to LOVE these bars!

LOVE THIS CARROT RECIPE? PIN IT!

Save these carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting for the next time you desire carrot cake! These bars are mixed together in only one bowl and are so easy to make, too. Finally, Pin it to Pinterest!

Tips

Be careful to not overbake the bars or they will turn out to be dry.
Serve these carrot bars with chopped pecans or raisins for extra flavor and texture.
Place bars in a single layer in an airtight container and cover. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Instead of carrots, then use puréed pumpkin or squash.

Serving Suggestions

These baked treats are delicious after main course meals and lunch. I like to bake these bars whenever we are tailgating because I know everyone will be begging for them! This carrot bar recipe is yummy served with a glass of your favorite milk or a cup of coffee or tea–delicious!

Other Tasty Bars You Will Enjoy

Be sure to look at all of my desserts to choose something you really like! There is something for everyone!

Lemon Brownies
Double Chocolate Brownies
Citrus Carrot Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Bars
Salted Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Bars

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Bars

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 (4 ounce) jars of strained baby food carrots
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the Icing

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 Tablespoons butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a jelly roll pan (10 1/2" x 15 1/2) set aside.
With your mixer, cream together eggs and sugar until fluffy. Mix in oil.
Stir in carrots.
Sift the dry ingredients together, and slowly add to the wet mixture, stirring as you go.
Spread into prepared jelly roll pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool before whipping together icing ingredients and frosting bars. Eat immediately or store in the fridge until you enjoy them.

Step-by-step recipe, baby carrot bars

baby carrot bars

Back Forward

My mother used to make them when we were little! They are very wet! The secret lies in baby food! nine0003

Parameters

servings: 24
output: 13 x 9 inch pans

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs nine0012
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup fresh carrots, chopped
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts nine0012
1 (12 oz) container softened cream cheese
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar nine0012
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

* 1 oz = 28. 35 grams

* 1 lb = 453.59 grams

Specifications

Servings:24
Output: 13 x 9inches pan

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup vegetable oil nine0012
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
7 ½ oz junior baby food carrots
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 (12 oz) container softened cream cheese nine0012
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

* 1 oz = 28. 35 grams

* 1 lb = 453.59 grams

Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, eggs, vanilla and oil in a large bowl. Add baking soda, salt and flour to it. Mix baby carrots, raw carrots, raisins, and walnuts in a jar. Mix well.
Bake in a greased and floured pan measuring 13x9inches at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes. Check after 20 minutes by inserting a clean knife into the center. The knife should come out clean. Cool thoroughly before cutting.
To Make the Frosting: Whisk together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost chilled the bars.

sillyblake10

best carrot bar recipe out there. ...have made this for years and family loves them......I sometimes substitute carrots for pumpkin and they come out great!!!!!

LINDSAY4

On the plus side, these bars tasted great and the frosting was amazing, but overall I wasn't impressed. The texture of the bars was too soft, which reminded me of baby food. The icing also needs to be cut in half.

hollydifrances

I made this recipe for my friends and they loved it too. It was moist and the frosting was amazing. The kids love it too. a basic recipe would be good for banana bars too.

Elizabeth

I made this yesterday for my 1 year old son's birthday cake and it was amazing! The only thing I changed was that I make my own baby food for him, so I used homemade boiled carrot puree. Also, I halved the frosting recipe, but it was still a little too much for our taste, so I'll try less next time - although it was delicious! nine0003

SHAMMA

I brought it to work and it was a great success. Very moist and easy to prepare. This is the keeper.

TSTAAB

Half glaze was enough. Fine.

TJACKSON

I got nothing but rave reviews for this cake. It really does look more like carrot cake than carrot bars, but who cares?! It's delicious - and you'll get the funniest look when people find out that baby food is a "secret!" nine0003

Kathy Sheets

Even though I have made some changes to this recipe (after reading all the reviews) I just have to give it 5 stars because I couldn't have come up with something so incredibly good without the original recipe. Here are the changes I made: I couldn't find a 7 1/2 oz baby food jar, so I used 2-4 oz jars of baby carrots. I only used 1/2 cup canola oil as I have substituted applesauce for all the butter in the recipe many times and only made 1/2 of the frosting recipe using 1/3 less fat cream cheese. It made a lot of frosting. Also, FYI, about 2 medium carrots chopped in my mini food processor made 1/2 C. It might just be my oven, but I had to bake it for a total of 35 minutes before the cake tester came out clean . The end product is a cake, not a cookie, very moist, very delicious! I keep this in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting. Thank you star! nine0003

LINDA MCLEAN

Bugs Bunny has no idea what he's missing! Incredibly moist and delicious. However, next time I will cut the frosting recipe in half as I only have a little left.

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all without sugar! What sweets to cook with dried apricots

(4 ratings)

Ekaterina Semibratova culinary blogger, author of recipes for a healthy diet, author of a healthy desserts cookbook

0012

By the end of summer, we have even more options for sugar-free desserts - with apples, baby carrots and of course dried fruits - because they have so much natural sweetness. Here are two recipes with dried apricots that children will especially appreciate.

Carrot Cakes Recipe

You may not be too fond of carrot cakes for their dense texture and moisture, then these cakes will be to your liking. The very tenderness and airiness on your plate!

Cakes:

50 g dried apricots
50 g carrots
50 g nuts (any)
2 eggs
1/3 tsp. looser

Cream:

180 g of soft cottage cheese 5% or sour cream 10%
30 g of raisins
Cestra 1/2 orange

Kuraga pour boiling water. Wait until it becomes soft.
Separate the whites from the yolks. Add the yolks to the dried apricots, grind with an immersion blender until smooth. nine0012
Grind nuts into crumbs. Grate the carrots on a fine grater, add dried apricots and egg yolks puree, ground nuts and baking powder to it. Mix.
Beat egg whites until stiff. Add half of the whipped protein to the carrot mixture, mix. Then add the remaining half and mix gently again.
Place the dough on siliconized parchment. Layer thickness approx. 1 cm.
Bake at 180°C for approx. 12 minutes. Allow to cool, then use a cup or a metal ring to cut out six circles (diameter - 5 cm). Trimmings can be saved for sprinkling. nine0012
For the cream, beat the curd with raisins and zest with an immersion blender. Collect the cakes, smearing the cakes with cream.
Refrigerate for approx. 6 hours. Sprinkle with crumbled crusts before serving.