Description
Creamy cheesecake meets classic carrot cake in this irresistible dessert masterpiece from Southern baking traditions. Rich layers of spiced carrot cake and silky cream cheese filling invite sweet-toothed bakers to explore a delightful culinary adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- 3 eggs
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups flour (all-purpose)
- 2 tbsps flour
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup carrots, grated
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsps heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 1 ½ tsps baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Crushed pecans for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ springform pan with parchment paper and coat sides with non-stick spray. Grease cake pans with vegetable shortening and dust with flour.
- Create Cheesecake Base: Whip cream cheese in stand mixer until smooth. Gradually incorporate sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and whipping cream, blending until perfectly uniform.
- Bake Cheesecake: Pour mixture into prepared springform pan. Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 250°F and continue baking for one hour until set. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for minimum two hours.
- Develop Cake Batter: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly. Gently fold in dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon) until just combined.
- Incorporate Carrots and Bake: Fold grated carrots into batter, ensuring even distribution. Divide batter between prepared cake pans. Bake until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
- Craft Frosting: Whip butter and cream cheese until impossibly light. Gradually add vanilla and powdered sugar, finishing with a splash of whipping cream to create luxurious frosting.
- Assemble and Finish: Layer first cake, spread frosting, position cheesecake layer, and top with second cake. Enrobe entire creation in remaining frosting. Optional: Sprinkle crushed pecans for textural contrast. Chill briefly to set layers and meld flavors.
Notes
- Preparation Precision: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free batter and consistent mixing.
- Baking Shield: Wrap springform pan with aluminum foil to prevent water seepage during cheesecake baking and protect delicate texture.
- Cooling Strategy: Allow cheesecake to cool gradually at room temperature to prevent cracking and maintain silky consistency.
- Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter before whipping to create a lighter, more stable frosting that spreads effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 43 g
- Sodium: 341 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg