Print

Cozy Carrot Cake Cookie Bars with Easy Brown Butter Frosting

carrot cake cookie bars - featured image
Print Recipe

These cozy carrot cake cookie bars combine the soft, spiced texture of carrot cake with the indulgent, nutty flavor of brown butter frosting. Quick and easy to make, they are perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (for frosting)
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. Shred carrots finely using a box grater or food processor. Pat dry if extra moist.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  6. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients gently until just combined.
  7. Fold in shredded carrots and nuts if using.
  8. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Cool bars completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  11. To make frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden brown and nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
  12. Transfer browned butter to a bowl and let cool slightly. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk or cream until smooth and spreadable.
  13. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Chill for 10-15 minutes to set if desired.
  14. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan, slice into squares or rectangles, and serve.

Notes

Use a light-colored pan for browning butter to monitor color and aroma. Avoid overmixing batter to keep bars tender. Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting. For gluten-free, substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil and plant-based butter substitutes. Nuts can be omitted or replaced with seeds for allergies.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake, cookie bars, brown butter frosting, easy dessert, cozy treat, spiced bars, carrot dessert

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/cozy-carrot-cake-cookie-bars-recipe-with-easy-brown-butter-frosting/