Description
A delightful fusion of a chewy, buttery blondie and the spiced warmth of a traditional carrot cake. Featuring a dense, fudgy texture complemented by fresh carrots and a thick, velvety layer of cream cheese frosting, these bars are topped with crunchy pecans for a sophisticated spring treat.
Ingredients
For the Blondie Base
- 8 oz (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup finely grated fresh carrots
- 1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp each: ginger, cinnamon, salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese (soft), 4 oz butter (soft)
- 2 cups confectioners sugar, 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (for topping)
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper and spray lightly.
Base: Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and yolk; whisk until smooth. Fold in grated carrots.
Combine: Stir in flour, ginger, cinnamon, and salt until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup pecans.
Bake: Spread into pan and bake 32–35 mins until center is set. Cool completely in the pan.
Frost: Beat very soft cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners sugar and vanilla until silky. Spread over cooled blondies and top with remaining pecans.
Notes
Texture Secret: Melted butter combined with an extra egg yolk is the key to achieving a fudgy blondie texture rather than a light, cake-like consistency.
Grate Fine: Use the smallest setting on your box grater. Finely grated carrots provide moisture and color without adding chunky textures to the dough.
Lump-Free Frosting: Your butter and cream cheese must be genuinely soft. Cold ingredients will create small white lumps that are nearly impossible to whisk out.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 145
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 85
Keywords: carrot cake blondies, cream cheese frosting, spring baking recipes, chewy blondie bars, easter dessert ideas