Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies: A Heavenly Treat

Are you ready to dive into a delicious dessert that will make your taste buds dance? Meet the Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies! These luscious treats are the perfect combination of moist, flavorful blondies enriched with the warmth of spices and the creaminess of cream cheese frosting. You won’t be able to resist the dreamy texture and delightful sweetness that each bite brings! Did you know that carrot cake is a traditional favorite during springtime and at festive gatherings? Making these blondies is not only a breeze, but they also come together in no time, making them a fantastic choice for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply when you’re craving a sweet indulgence. If you love recipes like classic chocolate chip cookies or even gooey brownies, you’ll be smitten with these carrot-infused delights. So grab your apron, and let’s get started on creating this wonderful treat that everyone will adore!

What are Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies?

Now, you might be wondering, “What in the world are Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies?” With a name like that, they sound almost magical, don’t they? Picture this: the comforting flavors of traditional carrot cake—which includes warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and nutty pecans—are lovingly transformed into a rich, buttery blondie base. And let’s not forget that luscious cream cheese frosting on top; it might just make you sing with joy! There’s a lovely old saying, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” and I wholeheartedly believe that this treat will win over even the pickiest of eaters. So why not gather your ingredients and whip up a batch? You might just find that love (and sweetness) is only a blondie away!

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

These Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies are simply irresistible! First, the main highlight of this dish is its unique balance of flavors. The warm spices combined with the richness of the blondie base create a perfect harmony that’s both comforting and indulgent. Second, making these blondies at home is a budget-friendly option compared to buying fancy desserts from bakeries. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll not only save money but also impress your friends and family with your baking skills! Lastly, the addition of cream cheese frosting elevates this treat to a whole new level. The creamy, tangy topping paired with the sweetness of the blondies is simply divine! If you enjoy these, be sure to check out my recipe for classic carrot cake – it’s another crowd-pleaser you won’t want to miss. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to make these scrumptious blondies; you won’t regret it!

How to Make Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

Quick Overview

Great news: making Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies is a cinch! These dessert bars are easy to whip up, requiring only simple ingredients and minimal prep time—about 15 minutes! The result is a delicious, rich blondie that’s perfect for any occasion. With the satisfying blend of flavors, you’ll find that it’s hard to have just one.

Key Ingredients for Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup raisins (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until well combined.
3. Incorporate dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
4. Add the flavorful extras: Gently fold in the grated carrots, nuts, and raisins (if using). Be careful not to overmix!
5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Prepare the frosting: While the blondies cool, beat together cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
7. Frost and serve: Once the blondies are completely cool, deftly spread the cream cheese frosting on top. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!

What to Serve Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies With

These delightful blondies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making for an ideal afternoon pick-me-up. You might also consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent dessert. If you want a contrasting flavor, serve them alongside a light and refreshing fruit salad to balance the richness of the blondies.

Top Tips for Perfecting Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

1. Carrot prep: For the best texture, use freshly grated carrots instead of pre-packaged shredded carrots. It makes a world of difference!
2. Experiment with spices: Feel free to add or adjust the spices to suit your taste. For instance, a pinch of ginger can add a delightful twist!
3. Don’t overmix: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined for the ultimate tenderness in your blondies.
4. Storage tip: If your blondies aren’t frosted yet, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Once frosted, keep them refrigerated.

Storing and Reheating Tips

To keep your Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay good for about 4-5 days but will likely disappear much faster! If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze the blondies (frosted or unfrosted). Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and if desired, warm them up in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds before serving.

Dive into the world of Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies—you won’t be disappointed! Happy baking!

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Blondies

A delightful treat combining moist blondies with the warm spices of carrot cake and topped with creamy frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 12 pieces

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the blondies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1.5 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots) For best texture, use freshly grated carrots.
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 0.5 cup raisins (optional)

For the cream cheese frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
4. Gently fold in the grated carrots, nuts, and raisins (if using). Be careful not to overmix!

Baking

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Frosting

1. While the blondies cool, beat together cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
2. Once the blondies are completely cool, deftly spread the cream cheese frosting on top. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

For the best texture, use freshly grated carrots instead of pre-packaged shredded carrots. Store unfrosted blondies in an airtight container. Frosted blondies should be kept refrigerated. They can be frozen for 2-3 months.