Name: Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Applesauce; 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar; 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil; 1/4 cup Agave Syrup; 1 tsp Vanilla; 1 1/2 Carrots, shredded finely; 1 cup Zucchini, shredded; 1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped; 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 1/4 tsp Baking Powder; 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger; 1/4 tsp Baking Soda; 8 oz. Vegan Cream Cheese; 1 cup Powdered Sugar; 1 1/2 tsp Lemon Zest

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 20 reviews

If there’s one treat that always gets rave reviews in my kitchen, it’s these irresistible Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Imagine a tender, moist cake studded with walnuts, fresh carrots, and zucchini, all crowned with a cloud of tangy, lemon-laced cream cheese frosting. This recipe is wholesome, wonderfully easy, and packed with gorgeous color and texture in every bite. Whether you bake these for friends, family, or a special afternoon snack, they’re pure sunshine on a plate!

Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s take a quick tour of our ingredients for Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Each one is picked to add richness, freshness, structure, and a pop of flavor or color. Don’t skip any, because together they create pure magic!

Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and keeps the bars moist without extra oil.
Light Brown Sugar: Provides gentle caramel notes and a hint of warmth.
Vegetable Oil: Gives tenderness and a soft crumb to the bars.
Agave Syrup: Brings natural sweetness and a beautiful, subtle flavor.
Vanilla: Adds depth and enhances the overall sweetness of the bars.
Carrots (shredded finely): Keep things moist and add vibrant color plus a faint earthy sweetness.
Zucchini (shredded): Lends tons of moisture while sneaking in a bit of good-for-you veggie power.
Walnuts (chopped): Bring delicious crunch and a bit of richness to every square.
All Purpose Flour: The essential foundation for structure and chew.
Baking Powder: Gives your bars a little lift and pleasant texture.
Ground Ginger: Adds a subtle warm spice that pairs beautifully with carrot and zucchini.
Baking Soda: Works with the baking powder to help the bars rise.
Vegan Cream Cheese: The base of our luscious, tangy frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths out that dreamy frosting texture.
Lemon Zest: Adds zippy citrus brightness to the creamy topping.

How to Make Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan and Preheat the Oven

Set yourself up for baking success by greasing a 13×9 baking pan and preheating your oven to 350 degrees. This ensures the bars bake evenly and come out perfectly golden every time.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Veggies

In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, agave syrup, and vanilla until well combined. Now, gently fold in the shredded carrots, zucchini, and chopped walnuts. This step fills your batter with vibrant color and texture—be generous with those veggies!

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and baking soda. Use a whisk to blend everything together so the leaveners and spice get evenly distributed. This step ensures every bite has a wonderful, even crumb and just the right hint of warmth.

Step 4: Bring the Batter Together

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and gently stir until just combined. Resist the urge to overmix here; stopping once there are no big flour streaks left will keep your bars incredibly tender and fluffy.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared baking pan. Pop into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing! Once done, set the bars on a wire rack and let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 6: Make the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Once the bars are cool, beat together the vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy and luxurious. You’ll love how the zesty lemon brightens the creamy frosting, making it the perfect crown for your bars.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Generously spread or pipe the lemon cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars. Garnish with a bit of extra lemon zest if you want an extra pop of color and flavor. Now, slice and enjoy every incredible bite of your Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting!

How to Serve Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

A simple shower of fresh lemon zest does wonders for both looks and flavor. If you want to make things extra special, try a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or an artful swirl of extra frosting on each slice. Edible flowers or a little dusting of powdered sugar also look gorgeous against the creamy top.

Side Dishes

These bars are a treat in their own right, but they pair beautifully with a cup of herbal tea, iced coffee, or a cold glass of almond milk. For a brunch spread, serve them alongside a big fruit salad or a platter of roasted seasonal veggies for a wholesome, colorful feast.

Creative Ways to Present

To wow a crowd, cut your Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting into fun shapes using a cookie cutter, or layer them parfait-style in mason jars with extra frosting. For a festive gathering, display them on a tiered cake stand with curled lemon peels and edible petals for a showstopping centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, your bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay moist and tasty for up to 4 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead for lunchboxes or afternoon treats.

Freezing

If you plan to make Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting in advance, you can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to two months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Thaw at room temperature and frost just before serving for best results.

Reheating

These bars are delightful chilled, but if you love a little warmth, pop a slice in the microwave for 8-10 seconds to soften the frosting ever-so-slightly. Just be careful not to overheat or the frosting will melt right off!

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The bars will be just as tender and flavorful, so everyone can enjoy a slice.

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of vegan?

Definitely. If you don’t need it to be dairy-free, regular cream cheese works perfectly for the lemon frosting. The flavor will be just as delicious!

Are the bars very sweet?

They’re lightly sweetened with brown sugar and agave, so you get plenty of flavor without an overwhelming sugar rush. The lemon in the frosting also balances the sweetness beautifully.

Can I skip the nuts?

If there are allergies or you’re just not a fan, feel free to leave out the walnuts. The texture of the Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting will still be delightful!

Can I make these bars in advance for a party?

Yes! Bake the bars a day ahead and store them unfrosted, then frost and garnish just before serving. This makes your party prep a total breeze and keeps everything tasting fresh.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat, Carrot Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting are it! These bars are a celebration of fresh flavors and bright colors—just the thing to share with people you love. So grab your grater, turn on some tunes, and get ready for a bake that’s bound to become a new favorite in your kitchen.