These Island-Inspired Carrot Cake Bars bring a touch of the tropics to the table. Infused with crushed pineapple, warm spices, and your choice of crunchy macadamia or walnuts, these bars offer a unique spin on the traditional carrot cake.
Unlike a layered carrot cake, this version is simple to make and serve. Whether you’re baking for a holiday get-together or a casual weekend treat, this easy dessert is always a crowd-pleaser.
Our family fell in love with it on the first bite. And now it’s one of our must-make recipes for gatherings. These bars are a dessert that is moist, fruity, sweet, with warm spices, and of course the tangy cream cheese frosting takes it over the top.
Island-Inspired Carrot Cake Bars Delight Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Soda
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 ½ Cups Carrots Grated, about 2-3 carrots
- 8 Ounces Crushed Pineapple 1 can (8 oz.) well drained
- 1 ½ Cups Brown Sugar
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Large Eggs lightly beaten
- ½ Cup Walnuts chopped or macadamia nuts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese softened
- ¼ Cup Butter softened
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar sifted
- ½ Cup Walnuts chopped, optional for garnish
text ingredients
Instructions
Make the Bars
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal, then lightly grease it.
- Easy mixing. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the grated carrots, drained pineapple, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and nuts. Stir to mix all the ingredients until well combined.1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, 1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Soda, 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon, 1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg, ½ Teaspoon Salt, 2 ½ Cups Carrots, 8 Ounces Crushed Pineapple, 1 ½ Cups Brown Sugar, 1 Cup Vegetable Oil, 3 Large Eggs, ½ Cup Walnuts
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Use parchment paper. These bars are super moist, and parchment paper makes removing them from the pan so much easier without tearing.
- Let the bars cool slightly in the pan, then use the parchment overhang to lift them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.8 Ounces Cream Cheese
- Add the butter and vanilla and mix until well blended.¼ Cup Butter, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Slowly add the powdered sugar, beating until creamy and fluffy.1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- Once the bars are cool, frost them evenly and sprinkle with additional nuts if desired.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
• Drain the pineapple well: Extra moisture from the juice can throw off the texture, so press it gently through a sieve before adding.
• Chill before slicing: For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the frosted bars for about 30 minutes before slicing into squares.
Nutrition
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How to Store Island Carrot Cake Bars
These bars are so moist and flavorful, they stay fresh for days. If they last that long!
- Room Temperature. Store in an airtight container for 1 day. But only if your kitchen is cool.
- Refrigerator. For best freshness, especially if frosted, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer. You can freeze the bars before frosting. Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then frost once fully thawed.
🍽 What to Serve with Island Carrot Cake Bars
These bars are a standout dessert on their own, but they pair beautifully with:
- Hot beverages. A cup of coffee, chai tea, or spiced apple cider enhances the cozy spice flavors.
- Fruit platters. Add tropical fruit like mango, pineapple, or papaya for a vibrant dessert spread.
- Whipped cream or coconut whipped cream. A dollop on the side adds a little extra indulgence.
- Vanilla bean ice cream. For a warm-and-cold contrast, especially if serving the bars slightly warm.
Recipe Variations to Try
Want to customize these bars for your family’s taste or to use what you have on hand? These variations make it easy to turn your Island-Inspired Carrot Cake Bars Delight into a flexible, all-season favorite that can match your mood, pantry, or occasion.
Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
🥥 Add-Ins
- Shredded coconut (½ cup) for more island flair
- Golden or dark raisins (½ cup) for extra sweetness and texture
- Chopped dried pineapple or dried mango for an extra chewy bite
🍪 Turn Into Cookies
- Scoop the batter into heaping tablespoons on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Flatten slightly and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges
- Cool and frost individually, or drizzle with icing for easy serving
Different Frosting Options
- Coconut cream frosting. Replace cream cheese with coconut cream for a dairy-free tropical variation
- Brown butter cream cheese frosting. Add nutty depth by browning the butter first
- Pineapple glaze. Mix powdered sugar with a bit of pineapple juice for a sweet-tart drizzle instead of a full frosting
These Island-Inspired Carrot Cake Bars are a tropical twist on a comforting classic. The juicy pineapple and warm spices blend beautifully, while the rich cream cheese frosting adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Try them once, and they might just become your new favorite dessert too.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
My family loved this!