Name: Orange Carrot Cake Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: Carrot Cake Bars; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp orange zest; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 2 eggs; 3/4 cups brown sugar; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/3 cup melted butter; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla; 2/3 cup finely shredded carrots; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; Cream Cheese Frosting; 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice; 1 Tbsp fresh grated orange zest

Ingredients

Units Scale

Carrot Cake Bars
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
1 Tbsp fresh grated orange zest

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and line an 8x8" pan with parchment.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, orange zest, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Whisk the eggs together with the brown sugar, then add the sour cream, melted butter, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth, then whisk in the shredded carrots.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until partially combined, then fold in the chopped pecans. Spread evenly into the prepared pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter together in a mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. Slowly mix until smooth. Frost the bars in an even layer!