Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars

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These Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars are full of the delicious flavors of carrot cake wrapped up in an easy, chewy bar! They make a great treat for Easter!

Love these carrot cake bars? Check out my easy recipe for the Best Carrot Cake Ever!

Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars on a platter

Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars

So not only is Easter this month – which is totally crazy that it’s so soon – but it’s also what I would call Girl Scout Cookie Month. Sadly I’ve been pretty involved with the cookbook and haven’t quite gotten around to any girl scout cookie recipes (although you can always go back and make this No Bake Samoa Cheesecake). However, we did order cookies that we are quickly making our way through.

There aren’t many desserts that the hubs will fight me for, but cookies are one of them. Especially girl scout cookies. We ordered thin mints and samoas. We love them both but there are fewer samoas in each box, so naturally we are most protective over each and every one of those babies.

In fact, the hubs picked up one of the samoa boxes the other day and we got into a mock argument over them. He quickly pretended he was going to just shove the whole box in his mouth at once. It was terrifying. 😉

Overhead view of Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars stacked on a napkin
Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars on a platter

Fortunately I was wise enough to not even mention these bars to him. No need to fight over them that way.

How to Make These Carrot Cake Bars

These bars are super easy to make. The crust is shortbread which is a quick mix of butter, flour and sugar. It’s pre-baked before adding the filling.

To make the filling, the ingredients are added in a few steps but you don’t even need a mixer. I just use a whisk. Easy peasy. It’s a relatively thin mixture, so don’t be alarmed. It thickens up perfectly when baked.

After being baked, cool the bars in the fridge and then slice! Seriously, so easy. It’s a great way to get the carrot cake fix without all the fuss. And they are SO good!

Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars stacked on a napkin
Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars stacked on a napkin with a bite out of one

More Carrot Cake Recipes

Best Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Swirl Cupcakes
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake
Carrot Cake Gooey Bars
Super Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
Carrot Cake Granola

Print
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Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars stacked on a napkin with a bite taken out of the top one
Recipe

Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9-12 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars are full of the delicious flavors of carrot cake wrapped up in an easy, chewy bar! They make a great treat for Easter!


Ingredients

SHORTBREAD CRUST

  • 1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (130g) all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (104g) sugar

FILLING

  • 1 cup (207g) sugar
  • 1/4 cup (33g) all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • pinch of cloves
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup (73g) shredded carrots
  • 3/4 cup (49g) flaked coconut
  • 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

Instructions

1. Line the bottom of a 9×9 pan with aluminum foil that goes up the sides of the pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. To make the crust, add all three ingredients to a mixer bowl and mix to combine. It’ll be very crumbly at first, but will form a ball.
3. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
4. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Set aside.
5. To make the filling, whisk together sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and spices in a medium sized bowl.
6. Add eggs, molasses and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
7. Stir in carrots, coconut, pineapple and pecans.
8. Spread mixture evenly over crust.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden.
10. Allow to cool completely in the refrigerator, then cut into squares.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Bar
  • Calories: 278
  • Sugar: 27.6 g
  • Sodium: 131.5 mg
  • Fat: 12.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39.5 g
  • Protein: 3.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 51.3 mg

Filed Under:

Enjoy!

 

Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars - all the great flavor of carrot cake in these easy and delicious bars! Perfect dessert recipe for Easter!

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17 Comments
  1. Sheila

    Hi Lindsay, I am making this dessert tomorrow and would like to know if I could make this filling and not use the cup of sugar it calls for?  Trying to cut back on sugars. Appreciate your response, Kindly Sissy

    1. Lindsay

      I haven’t tried it without any sugar. I would think it’d lack some flavor. But also sugar adds moisture, so they might end up a little dry.

    1. Lindsay

      I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’d think if they were wrapped well and thawed in the fridge, they’d probably be ok.

  2. babyninja

    Great post!!!These Carrot Cake Shortbread Bars are full of all the best flavors of carrot cake in an easy bar! They would make a great dessert or treat for Easter!  Thanks

  3. Dyanna

    Hi lindsay, my husband accidentally dropped my glass 9×9 and I am making these for easter. What would you suggest as an alternative? I have a 8×8, 9×11 or 12in round. Thank you!!!!!

  4. Theresa @DearCreatives

    I love carrot cake & it’s impractical when not hosting Easter to make a whole cake for a small family. These might be the perfect solution. They look amazing! Pinned & sharing. Thanks for the recipe!

  5. Lorna Newell

    Made these over the weekend. This is a winning bake – so delish and moreish. Had 4 yesterday – self-control went out the window! Thanks for the recipe!

  6. Robin @ Simply Southern Baking

    Saw these in my Bloglovin’ feed this morning and had to head over to check out the recipe. Oh my goodness….I could eat these for breakfast or anytime for that matter! They look very addictive. ????

  7. Mir

    GS cookie season is the best! I get so excited when I see those boxes everywhere. It’s even more fun to figure out how to bake with them.
    And speaking of baking creativity, these are amazing! Carrot cake in a bar? Yes, please!!!

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29