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Cozy Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars

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These bars combine moist, spiced carrot cake with a creamy, tangy cheesecake layer for a comforting and indulgent dessert perfect for cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded carrots
  • ½ cup (50 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
  • Chopped nuts or shredded coconut for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, beat sugar and vegetable oil until just blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in shredded carrots and chopped nuts gently.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream or Greek yogurt until silky and lump-free.
  6. Spread half of the carrot cake batter evenly in the prepared pan. Pour cheesecake layer over it, smoothing gently. Dollop remaining carrot cake batter on top and swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
  7. Bake for 45-50 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly. Avoid overbaking.
  8. Cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight to set.
  9. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan. Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar or sprinkle nuts if desired.

Notes

[‘Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese to avoid lumps.’, ‘Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.’, ‘Swirl the top layer gently to create a marbled effect without blending layers too much.’, ‘Chill bars thoroughly before slicing for clean cuts.’, ‘Avoid overbaking to prevent dry bars and cracked cheesecake layer.’, ‘Parchment paper makes removal easier but greasing pan is an alternative.’, ‘Can substitute almond flour for gluten-free version and dairy-free cream cheese and flax eggs for vegan adaptation.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake, cheesecake bars, creamy layers, easy dessert, cozy dessert, spiced carrot cake, cream cheese dessert

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-carrot-cake-cheesecake-bars-recipe-easy-creamy-layers-guide/