Easy Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl - Perfect Easter Dessert - Zest Plate

Ingredients

• Nonstick baking spray
• Parchment paper
• 12 1/2 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-in. chunks (about 4 to 5 large carrots)
• 2 Tbsp. salted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1 cup salted butter, divided (12 Tbsp. + 4 Tbsp.)
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 large eggs plus 4 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, at room temperature