Carrot Cake Delight Bars These Carrot Cake Delight Bars combine the rich flavors of carrot cake with a creamy cheesecake swirl, creating a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Ingredients for the carrot cake 1 1/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup butter, melted 1 egg + 1 egg yolk 1 1/2 cup grated carrots 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional) for the cheesecake swirl 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 egg, room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9 x 9 square pan with parchment paper on all sides. In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and melted butter, whisking until well mixed. Add the vanilla extract, eggs, and grated carrots, and stir until combined. Next, add the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and optional orange zest. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the batter light. Pour the carrot cake mixture into the prepared pan and set aside while you prepare the cheesecake layer. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla together until smooth and creamy, ensuring not to over mix. Dollop the cheesecake mixture over the carrot cake batter and use a butter knife to create swirls. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares for serving. Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors!
