Wait a minute.
Carrot cake bars? Are you serious right now?
I. Do not. Make. Carrot cake. Anything. So can someone explain to me whyyyy that’s a picture of carrot cake-something I made up there? Something that looks ooey, gooey and, dare I say, good?
So I know I’m not the only one on this planet (a shame). But if I were, carrot cake probably wouldn’t exist. Why? Because I dislike it with a fiery passion, along with my hatred of pork chops, when gum gets hard (ugh–the worst) and canned green beans (just… no).
There aren’t many foods I dislike, but one of them is easily carrot cake. I don’t have real reasons why I hate it since I really like carrots and I’m not one of those people with a mental block of veggies inside desserts (beet brownies, zucchini cake, all good in my book). I think it’s because of really bad grocery store cakes or distasteful homemade versions in years past.
My grandma (still) has holiday parties with her friends, and usually for spring-related or Easter parties, there is carrot cake involved. She always thought–for whatever reason–that Alex, my brother, LOVED carrot cake with a passion, even though he A) had never said this nor B) ever proved this. So carrot cake would always come down, big fat slices of the stuff, and go uneaten and unwanted. I think we were more likely to scarf down octopus or pig eyes than touch carrot cake with a ten foot pole. Seriously.
I just. don’t. like it. Period.
But again, I can’t be a selfish blogger, or else all that would happen would be me talking about my love affair with chips and obviously that blog would be less-than-stellar and mind-numbingly boring. So, I made you carrot cake. Let’s just consider this a wordless declaration of true love for you.
But this isn’t ordinary carrot cake. This is carrot cake that’s gone balls out cray-cray. It’s stuffed with white chocolate chips, then topped with like, the gooiest caramel sauce, and then that’s topped with a smooth layer of white chocolate. I meeeeean, I totally love you. I feel like we’re having a Rachel and Ryan moment right now, all “if you’re a carrot cake, I’m a carrot cake” kinda thing. It’s romantical. It’s sweet. It’s holy hell, do you seeeee that caramel?!?
So please, carrot cake lovahs or not, make these. It’ll change yo lyfeeee.
Caramel Carrot Cake Bars
1 box carrot cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 pkg white chocolate chips
1 bag Werther’s chewy caramels, unwrapped
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs and oil until combined. Stir in half of the white chocolate chips. Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until center is just set + edges are light golden brown. Cool completely.
3. In a medium microwaveable bowl, melt the caramels with about 2 tsp water for 45 seconds. Stir, then continue cooking for another 30-45 seconds or until smooth and melted. Mixture will be very hot.
4. Pour the caramel mixture on top of the cooled bars; spread evenly. Place the pan in the fridge to allow caramel to set, about 15 mins.
5. In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining white chocolate chips with a splash of oil for about 45 seconds, stirring until smooth. Pour the mixture on top of the caramel, spreading evenly. Allow white chocolate to harden in fridge, about 10 minutes.
6. Cut into bars and serve. Store leftovers airtight, at room temperature, for about 2 days. Can store in fridge, but allow to come to room temperature before eating.
Holy moly. Y’all need to get in on this. Helloooo, don’t you want to live in that caramel layer? Me too.
Have an awesome day!!
xo, Hayley
Tanya Schroeder says
I’m not crazy about spice or carrot cake either. In fact I don’t even qualify them as cakes. But anything with caramel and white chocolate MUST be good. Gosh, I love those little caramels with the white center. I always eat the center first!
The Domestic Rebel says
Tanya–me either. I really don’t typically like them, but these were good!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I LOVE LOVE carrot cake – there is nothing better than a moist, thick, raisin-loaded piece with lots of cream cheese frosting and with the caramel and white choc you used, this is great, Hayley!
crazyforcrust says
So. So. So. Good. Amazeballs cray-cray bars!!! I know because I tasted them. A lot. Pinned, shared, gonna make soon!
Back For Seconds says
Argh so jealous! I neeeeeed these!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I haven’t had carrot cake in forever. My husband doesn’t like it :/ I may see if I can sneak this past him or make it for a family function! I wanted to also let you know that I nominated you for an award – well 2 actually! You can check it out on my blog, Love Bakes Good Cakes!
The Domestic Rebel says
Awh, thanks Jamie! And no one in my family likes carrot cake so no one wanted to try it, but when I convinced my sister and dad to have the tiniest bite known to man, they both said it was good, haha.
Back For Seconds says
Um. I like carrot cake – or at least I did until I saw these just now. These are waaaayyyyy better than carrot cake. I mean look how gooey! I need comfort food in a big way right now, send these my way please!!!
amy donovan (@amy_donovan) says
I actually love carrot cake, so i’m mighty happy you posted this. =) loooove the addition of caramels, too – i can eat those chewy mofos by the dozen. also? i’m so with you on hating hard chewing gum + canned green beans. also, you can add canned tuna fish + deviled eggs to my hated-foods list.
Becca (@CrumbsandChaos) says
I’m sure one bite of this deliciousness could turn anyone into a carrot cake lover!!
Heather says
I LOVE carrot cake – but never make it – I will make these for sure. I think I could even get the kids in on it:)
Ashley - baker by nature says
I LOVE carrot anything, and all that caramel too?! I’m in in in!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
I won’t waste a whole paragraph trying to convince you to love carrot cake, but I’ll instead just say that I happen to LOVE it! These carrot cake bars could just about complete my life. Love the addition of caramel candies!
The Domestic Rebel says
Haha Georgia, I’ve had multiple people try to convince me and I’m convinced I haven’t tried a gourmet carrot cake yet 🙂 I’m sure when I have the bite of my life, I’ll agree–but for now, these bars are pleasing me just fine! Thanks for your comment!
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says
Dude, are we sistahs from another mister? I feel the EXACT same way about carrot cake. I love veggies and carrots too but carrot cake makes me want to hurl. I’d be nervous too if you put these in front of me but I’d definitely try them.
Maybe I’ll make these for the giant man-baby and taste a bit to see too.
Sally says
I found something we DON’T have in common. Well, two things. I love SNICKERS!! and I read tonight that you don’t! Wah! And I loooove carrot cake!! What is the world coming to?? At least we share a love for sprinkles and butterscotch. 🙂
PS I could eat every.single.one of these bars. thankyouverymuch!
Julie (@tablefortwoblog) says
I just love how the caramel is oozing out of these bars! They look so delicious!! I would totally eat carrot cake if they were all like this!
trkingmomoe says
It looks decadent but easy. Thanks for sharing this idea.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Okay, carrot cake is one of my fave things EVER. It’s tragic that you don’t like it. But these bars? Look OMG amazing. With the gooey caramel, yes please (and I am TOTALLY jealous that Dorothy got to try these!)!
Jocelyn says
It is very sad that you don’t like carrot cake…but you made me a little bit happier with these awesome ooeey gooey carrot cake bars!!! I really want some of these tonight!!!!
Suzen Ivy says
These were sooooo good, it isn’t even funny. I made them and had to have my hubbie hide them because I didn’t want to stop eating them. You are so amazing!!!
The Domestic Rebel says
Eek, Suzen, I’m SO glad you tried them and liked them! For not liking carrot cake, I thought they were delish and that says a lot! 🙂 thanks girl!
Bailey says
I made these and took them to work and people were all “ommggggg these are soooo good. who made these???????” So, now everyone thinks I’m an awesome baker, when in reality you’re the awesome baker whose blog I follow haha. This recipe is awesome! And people who didn’t even like carrot cake (as you mentioned) also thought these rocked. 🙂
The Domestic Rebel says
Hahaha. I’m glad everyone–including your carrot cake hatin’ self–enjoyed them! There’s something about these that are different from the usual shudder-inducing carrot cake, I think 🙂 thanks for reading & commenting!
Rebekah says
Ok so I kinda fluffed up with this. I made the carrot cake in a cake tin so it turned into…you know…a cake! But I cut it in half, slathered the caramel in the middle and then topped with white chocolate. So I made it in the end 😀
The Domestic Rebel says
Rebekah, that sounds super yummy!! I like the switch-up and glad it turned out! 🙂
Rebekah says
It’s like a little taste of heaven. You’re like the Dumbledore of Baking.
Cheryl says
Want to make this soooooo badly. Where can one buy the caramels with the white centres and is the centre white chocolate??????
The Domestic Rebel says
Hi Cheryl! You actually don’t need to buy those actual caramels with the white centers (I believe they’re called Cow tails??) you can just use regular squares of caramel!! 🙂 I just had some of those special ones lying around for the picture!
renee says
Just made these…huge hit with the carrot cake lover’s in my life….I used the caramel cremes & tasted even that much better! ! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Jackie Harvey says
No wonder you don’t care for it. Boxed cake? Just eat the candy if that is what you like and save the real stuff for me.
Gladys Macpherson says
i just got the recipe it looks delious i cant wait to try it
Pwdrpuff65 says
I bought the caramels by bulk from a bin. How many do I use? Can’t wait to try this.
The Domestic Rebel says
Hey! I’d use roughly 2 cups of unwrapped caramels.
angie says
Ok, it looks like I might be the only one that got confused but am i getting the caramels with the white center and melting those or am i getting the werthers chewys and usin those, sorry about the confusion, just want to make sure its perfect.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Angie! Either one will work! I think I used up all my regular caramels in the recipe and “staged” the picture with the white centered caramels, but both would taste good! Just make sure you get the chewier caramels (as opposed to those Werther’s hard candy caramels) so they’ll melt 🙂
carrot cake lover says
I love carrot cake . It is one of the best cakes out there.
My girlfriend would make me one for my birthday every year.
I was one that thought ick at first, a vegetable cake, but I tried it &it was delicious.
Thank you very much. and for you out there that don’t like it give it a try, you might be
surprised
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks friend!
Ester says
I love carrot cake, that is probably my favorite after chocolate cake . I have tried boxed versions but they are not even close to home made, So since I am a carrot cake lover I will give these a shot even though you are using a boxed mix.
thedomesticrebel says
Ester, I think you’ll love these!