Introducing Spicy Carrot-Cake Bars – a delightful fusion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite! 🥕🍰 These bars boast a harmonious blend of spicy carrot cake, sweetened cream cheese, and a hint of tangy pineapple, creating a symphony of flavors that’s simply irresistible. Perfect for dessert lovers and snack enthusiasts alike, these bars are easy to make and sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients:
For the Carrot Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Prepare the Pan: Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring the bars won’t stick.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and allspice. Set this mixture aside for now.
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Beat Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use a wire whisk to beat together the oil, brown sugar, and eggs until well blended, which should take about 1 minute.
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Incorporate Carrots and Pineapple: Stir in the shredded carrots, along with the crushed pineapple and its juice. Then, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just blended.
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Spread Batter: Spread the resulting batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring a smooth and even surface.
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Prepare Cream Cheese Topping: In a separate small bowl, use a wire whisk to beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and flour until creamy in consistency. Add in the egg and lemon juice, continuing to beat until well combined.
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Create Marbled Effect: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the batter in the pan in a random pattern. Then, using a table knife, gently cut through the mixture to create a beautiful marbled effect.
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Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is set and the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
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Slice into Bars: Once cooled, carefully cut the carrot-cake bars into 32 evenly sized pieces, ready to be served and enjoyed!
These Spicy Carrot-Cake Bars are not only delicious but also versatile, making them ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family gathering or a festive celebration. With their moist and flavorful texture, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in a slice of pure culinary delight!
