⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 16 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon Ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 1 ¾ cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted butter
• 4 Large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 cups Grated carrots
• ½ cup Walnuts or pecans (chopped)
• ½ cup Raisins (optional)

📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal later. This is a total game-changer, trust me!
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened butter and 1 ¾ cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. My grandma always said to cream it until it's the color of sunshine; it's a nice visual cue.
3. Beat in 4 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Don't overmix; a few lumps are okay!
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of ground cloves. I always add a pinch more cinnamon for extra warmth, just a personal preference!
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want these brownies to be nice and moist!
6. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of grated carrots, ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, but highly recommended!), and ½ cup of raisins (optional). I’m not a huge fan of raisins, but my kids love ‘em! So I always include them.
7. Fold the carrot mixture into the batter until evenly distributed. Try not to be too rough with the carrots. Gently is key!
8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Make sure to reach every corner of the pan so the brownies bake evenly.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Don't be alarmed by the moist crumbs, that's a sign these beauties are perfectly baked!
10. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This prevents them from crumbling and ensures every piece is delightful!
11. Once cooled, frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting (recipe below). This step is 100% necessary, no skipping allowed!
12. Enjoy your amazing carrot cake brownies! These are perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to afternoon coffee breaks. They are even good on their own!

📝 Notes

• Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming. If your butter is too cold, the mixture won’t be as fluffy.
• Don't overmix the batter! Overmixing can lead to tough brownies.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts and dried fruits, or even add chocolate chips!