Looking for a mouthwatering dessert that feeds a crowd with ease? Your search is over. Make a pan of Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars and watch them disappear.
Spring is just around the corner and that means that it's carrot cake season! Although, isn't it always carrot cake season? Please tell me it isn't just me. Carrot cake and cheesecake are always a welcome sight around here.
And you are in luck today because I took 2 of my favorite desserts and combined them into one spectacular one and made these Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars.
Traditionally a carrot cake recipe calls for oil to keep it nice and moist, but I used my favorite Kerrygold butter in this version. The high-fat content of this grass-fed goodness makes an amazing carrot cake.
It's the perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and carrot flavor.
Simply add the cheesecake batter, swirl it all together and it's heaven on a plate.
The marble swirl is what makes these Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars so beautiful, but don't stress about making your bars look just like the pictures. There is no wrong way to make the marble swirl and no matter how many times you try, that swirl will never look the same. And that’s OK!!
Simply alternate spoonfuls of the cheesecake and carrot cake batters in alternating spoonfuls in the pan. Drag a sharp knife through the top in a circular motion to create the swirl.
These Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars make a rich, decadent dessert that looks like you slaved for hours in the kitchen. That gorgeous swirl will do it every time. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. No one else needs to know just how easy it is.
You'll know what a hit they are when you look at the clean plates and share the recipe.
Recipe
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup Kerrygold® Butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon ground
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour divided
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 4 eggs divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrots
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix 1 cup each of the flour and sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add melted butter, 2 of the eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and carrots; mix well. Spread ½ of the batter into prepared baking pan. Reserve remaining batter. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and remaining ⅔ cup sugar in another large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended. Add cream, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, remaining 1 tablespoon of flour and beat well until blended.
- Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time mixing until just blended. Pour half of the batter on top of the carrot cake batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and reserved carrot cake batter, alternately, over the cheesecake batter in pan.
- Cut through several times with knife for marble effect.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan on wire rack.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
For a 9x13 would you double the ingredients or just decrease the baking time?
I would double the ingredients othelereise your bars will be really thin!
I am assuming the remaining vanilla extract goes in the cheesecake mixture, yes?
Yes! I just updated the recipe. Thanks for catching that!
Do you bake in an 8x8 (as noted at beginning ‘preheat & parchment line...’ or 9x13 (as notes ‘spread half the batter in a greased & floured...’?
Thanks for catching that. Recipe is fixed! Use the 8 x 8 pan❤️
Can you make these a day or two ahead?
Absolutely! You can even make them and freeze them! Just make sure they are completely cooled before wrapping them up!
I can't wait to try these for Easter!
Oh wow, these sound amazing. I've had a version of these on my "to bake" list for a couple years 🙂
What are you waiting for! 🙂 Have fun baking!