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
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Mix Wet Ingredients In a large bowl, combine the applesauce (or oil), sugar, and eggs. Mix until well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Add Remaining Ingredients Fold in the grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts (if using), vanilla, and crushed pineapple until evenly distributed.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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