Carrot Coconut Delight Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Description

Introducing the Carrot Coconut Delight Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting—a delicious variation of the traditional carrot cake. These bars are not only moist and flavorful but also incorporate a delightful blend of carrots, coconut, and pineapple, all topped off with a creamy, silky cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, these bars provide an excellent balance of spice, sweetness, and texture, promising to satisfy your dessert cravings.

Ingredients

• Cake:
  • 1¼ cups unsweetened applesauce or oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple (not drained)
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 lb powdered sugar

Step-by-step Directions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease or line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the applesauce (or oil), sugar, and eggs. Mix until well blended.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

5. Add Remaining Ingredients

Fold in the grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts (if using), vanilla, and crushed pineapple until evenly distributed.

6. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.

7. Prepare Frosting

For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar, continuing to beat until smooth and creamy.

8. Frost and Serve

Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Servings & Preparation Time

This recipe makes approximately 24 servings. The total preparation time is about 45 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes for cooking and cooling time.

Tips for Storage & Reheating

• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To maintain the best flavor, allow the bars to come to room temperature before serving after refrigeration.

Conclusion

The Carrot Coconut Delight Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect treat that combines the earthy goodness of carrots with the exotic flavor of coconut, all enriched by the creamy sweetness of cream cheese frosting. Whether for a special gathering or a cozy family dessert, these bars are sure to delight any palate. Try this recipe for a guaranteed dessert success at your next event!

Carrot Coconut Delight Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x

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Description

Introducing the Carrot Coconut Delight Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting—a delicious variation of the traditional carrot cake. These bars are not only moist and flavorful but also incorporate a delightful blend of carrots, coconut, and pineapple, all topped off with a creamy, silky cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, these bars provide an excellent balance of spice, sweetness, and texture, promising to satisfy your dessert cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1¼ cups unsweetened applesauce or oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup crushed pineapple (not drained)
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 lb powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease or line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients In a large bowl, combine the applesauce (or oil), sugar, and eggs. Mix until well blended.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Add Remaining Ingredients Fold in the grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts (if using), vanilla, and crushed pineapple until evenly distributed.
6. Bake Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
7. Prepare Frosting For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar, continuing to beat until smooth and creamy.
8. Frost and Serve Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake bars. Cut into squares and serve.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes