Cheesecake Recipes

Carrot Apple Cheesecake Bars

Carrot Apple Cheesecake Bars is a simple and easy dessert recipe for the spring baking season. Incredibly moist and spicy carrot, apple and cheesecake combo is delicious snack. But this crowd pleasing dessert is fancy enough dessert for Easter brunch or as light and easy dessert after the Easter dinner.

~Ingredients:

-Carrot Apple Bars:

1 1/2 Cups Coarsely Grated Carrots, firmly packed.

1 Cup Coarsely Grated Apples.*

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar.

1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar.

2 Large Eggs.

1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract.

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil.

1 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour.

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda.

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder.

Pinch of Salt.

1 1/2 - 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon, to taste.**

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg.

-Cheesecake Layer:

12 oz Cream Cheese, softened.

1/2 Cup Sugar.

1 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla.

2 Tablespoons Sour Cream.

1 Large Egg, slightly beaten.

1/2 Tablespoon Flour.

~Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line a 9 by 13 pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2 inch overhang for easy removal. Spray the parchment paper with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.

-Making the Carrot Apple Mixture:   

Step 2: In a large bowl combine grated carrots and apple, sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla and beat well.

Step 3: Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

-Making the Cheesecake Layer:   

Step 3: Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. 

Step 4: Mix in vanilla, sour cream and flour. 

Step 5: Finally add in the egg and beat just to combine evenly. 

Step 6: Transfer the cheesecake mixture to the piping bag or a zip-lock bag with a corner cut off and set aside.

Step 7: With a rubber spatula, stir the carrot apple mixture, scraping the bottom to evenly mix the grated carrots and the apples, then spread the mixture in the prepared pan.

Step 8: Pipe the cheesecake mixture diagonally on top of the carrot apple batter. 

Step 9: If you have leftovers of cream cheese mixture when you finish piping crossed lines, tap the pan a few times on working surface to help cheesecake lines slightly sink into the carrot apple mixture and repeat the process of piping.

Step 10: Pipe a new layer of cheesecake mixture, trying to pipe them right across the first ones, until you use it all.

Step 11: Bake on a lower rack in the oven for 23 - 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 12: Cut in squares.

Step 13: Cool completely before removing from the pan.

Step 14: Store in refrigerator when not serving.

Step 15: Eat and Enjoy!

~Recipe Notes:

*One large unpeeled apple like Fuji, Gala or a Honeycrisp.

**Cinnamon is very strong and has a very strong flavor that's why we said to taste.

Enjoy!

Please leave us a picture in the comments below if you make it or have any questions!

XoXo Hailey and Hannah :)