Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 9-inch square pan with parchment paper, overlapping the sides of the pan slightly. Spray with cooking spray, set aside.
Step 2
In a medium saucepot, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar; then, stir in vanilla, eggs, and carrots.
Step 3
In a mixing bowl, sift or whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir dry ingredients and optional pecans into wet ingredients until combined.
Step 4
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 25 minutes or until pick inserted in center comes clean.
Step 5
Cool 5 minutes in the pan; then, lift out by the parchment paper. Continue to cool on a wire rack.
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract. With mixer on low, slowly add sugar. Increase mixer speed and beat until frosting is well combined and fluffy.
Step 2
Use a spoon or offset spatula to apply frosting on top of the cooled blondies and spread into an even layer. Chill then cut into 9 blondies.