Crumbly Carrot Cake Bars

By McLean

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (2 to 3 carrots)
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and butter; beat with electric mixer until it crumbles. Sir in carrots, walnuts, and 2 teaspoon vanilla; mix well. Reserve 2 cups of the mixture; press remaining mixture into bottom of baking dish.

Bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs and remaining teaspoon vanilla; mix well.

Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Sprinkle reserve crumbs on top.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheesecake layer is set. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 3 hours or until chilled. Slice into bars and serve.