Creamy Cheesecake Stuffed Carrot Cake

This Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake transcends the ordinary, offering a truly extraordinary dessert experience. It’s the ultimate solution for those delightful dilemmas when you find yourself torn between serving a rich, creamy cheesecake or a moist, spiced carrot cake. Why choose when you can savor the best of both worlds in one magnificent, show-stopping creation? Prepare to indulge in the most sublime and decadent version of carrot cake you’ll ever encounter!

The journey with this dream-worthy Carrot Cake Recipe began for me back in 2011, and after all these years, it was certainly due for a glorious revisit. Recently, I had the pleasure of bringing this multi-layered masterpiece to a gathering at our friends’ lake house. The result? It was devoured with unmatched enthusiasm and garnered absolutely rave reviews, solidifying its place as a perennial favorite.

Why This Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake is Your Next Must-Bake Dessert

There are countless reasons why this unique dessert deserves a prime spot in your baking repertoire, especially if you’re looking to impress and delight.

• Two Desserts, One Incredible Cake: Experience the harmonious marriage of two beloved classics – the spiced warmth of carrot cake and the cool, creamy richness of cheesecake – all in a single, irresistible slice. Plus, it comes generously adorned with an abundance of luscious cream cheese frosting!
• A Symphony of Flavors and Textures: Our exceptional carrot cake base is generously packed with a delightful medley of crunchy nuts, sweet coconut, and moist crushed pineapple, creating a textural paradise that elevates every bite. It’s a flavor profile that consistently earns it a spot as one of my all-time favorite desserts!
• Beyond Your Wildest Carrot Cake Dreams: If you consider yourself a true aficionado of carrot cake, prepare to have your expectations shattered. This elevated version promises to “knock your socks off” with its unparalleled depth of flavor and decadent layers, setting a new standard for what a carrot cake can be.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual family gatherings to elegant dinner parties, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and conversation starter. Its impressive appearance and rich taste make it suitable for celebratory events, holidays, or simply as a special treat for yourself and loved ones.

Our recent trek down to southern Indiana for a lakeside retreat was packed with aquatic adventures like swimming, tubing, and kayaking, along with an incredible array of good food. Everyone pitched in, contributing delicious appetizers, vibrant salads, and delectable desserts, while our gracious host took charge of his renowned smoked ribs and sausages. Guess which category I eagerly volunteered for? Naturally, I gravitated towards desserts, but with a twist! I deliberately steered away from the usual chocolate-laden delights that my husband typically yearns for, knowing that a remake of this “amped-up” carrot cake was long overdue and would be a welcome change.

Well, my loyal readers know the drill with my family: three prefer no nuts, three aren’t keen on carrot cake, and one isn’t a fan of cheesecake, and so the culinary preferences continue. This gathering of not-so-picky friends was truly the perfect opportunity to reintroduce and refine this recipe. Adding to the ideal scenario, another friend had planned to bring a chocolate dessert, ensuring my husband would have no cause for pouting about my selection. It was a win-win situation, allowing this magnificent cake to shine!

Mastering Your Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake: Expert Tips for a Flawless Dessert

When I first conceived of this loaded carrot cake, I had no idea that a Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake Cheesecake was already on their menu! While I’ve never tasted their swirled version, I’m confident that my layered creation is equally, if not more, incredible. Here are a few essential tips to help you achieve a perfectly layered, utterly delicious version of this unique dessert.

• The Foundation: Carrot Cake Layers: For the two delectable carrot cake layers, I rely on my tried-and-true favorite recipe from the New Basics Cookbook, which is generously packed with grated carrots, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts. This combination creates an incredibly moist and flavorful base. However, feel absolutely free to use your own beloved carrot cake recipe, provided it yields enough batter for two standard 9-inch cake rounds. Consistency in size is key for even layering.
• The Layered Secret Revealed: Many of my friends are initially puzzled, asking how I manage to get the cheesecake so perfectly embedded in the middle of the carrot cake. The answer, though simple, is often surprising: I bake all three layers separately. This means you’ll prepare two distinct carrot cake layers and one thinner, elegant vanilla cheesecake. Once cooled, stacked, and frosted, you’re left with a stunning, cheesecake-stuffed carrot cake.
• Crafting the Perfect Cheesecake Layer: Nestled between the two carrot cake layers lies a truly top-notch mascarpone cheesecake. To elevate its richness and add a subtle sweetness, I incorporate four ounces of finely chopped white chocolate – purely for that extra touch of indulgence. If white chocolate isn’t to your taste, you can simply omit this ingredient without compromising the cheesecake’s creamy texture.
• Cheesecake Consistency is Key: While you’re welcome to use your own preferred cheesecake recipe, pay close attention to the measurements provided in mine. The goal is a thinner cheesecake layer that perfectly complements the carrot cake, rather than one that fills your springform pan to the brim, which might make the final cake overly dense or difficult to slice.
• The Essential Springform Pan: For perfect symmetry and ease of assembly, the cheesecake absolutely must be baked in a 9-inch springform pan. This ensures that all layers – both carrot cake and cheesecake – are of the same diameter, resulting in a beautifully uniform and stable cake.
• Mastering Cheesecake Perfection: For a comprehensive guide to achieving flawless cheesecake every time, I highly recommend consulting my dedicated post on making a perfect cheesecake. There, you’ll find all my best tips and advice, including the importance of using room temperature ingredients, beating the batter with a paddle attachment instead of a whisk to prevent over-aeration, and more.
• PRO-Tip: Carrot Preparation: When preparing your carrots for the cake batter, always take the time to peel them thoroughly. This crucial step prevents any potential grit that might not be washed off from contaminating your cake. Furthermore, carrot peels can sometimes impart a slightly bitter flavor, which we certainly want to avoid in our sweet treat.
• The Divine Mascarpone Cream Cheese Icing: After meticulously stacking the three layers, they are lavishly frosted with a rich and incredibly creamy cream cheese icing. My special touch? A generous dose of mascarpone. Since I typically use half a package of mascarpone in the cheesecake layer, I found it brilliant to incorporate the remaining portion into the frosting. This addition not only prevents waste but also imparts another delicious, luxurious dimension to the icing’s flavor and texture.
• PRO-Tip: Plan Ahead for Perfection: Both the cheesecake and the carrot cake layers can be prepared ahead of time, which is a fantastic time-saver for such a multi-step recipe. Cheesecakes, in particular, benefit immensely from chilling overnight, as this allows their flavors to meld and their texture to set beautifully. This gives you the perfect excuse to spread the baking process over a few days, making it less daunting.
• Frosting at Its Best: It’s always easiest to work with freshly made frosting. If chilled, cream cheese frosting tends to firm up significantly, making it much harder to spread smoothly and achieve that professional finish.
• Garnishing with Flair: In the past, I often pressed chopped nuts all around the sides of the cake for a rustic look. This time, I opted for a simpler, yet elegant ring of nuts around the top. For alternative and equally delightful garnishes, consider replacing the chopped nuts with beautifully arranged pecan halves or elegant piped cream cheese swirls, each topped with a single pecan half.
• The Optimal Serving Temperature: For the absolute best flavor and texture, allow the cake to come to room temperature for about an hour before slicing and serving. While it might be slightly less firm and thus a little harder to cut into perfectly clean slices compared to when it’s chilled, the taste will be nothing short of incredible. I promise you, this is unequivocally one of the Best Carrot Cake Recipes you will ever experience.
• Storing Leftovers: Any leftover slices should be stored promptly in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and quality.

Frequently Asked Questions: Your Cheesecake Carrot Cake Queries Answered

The Enduring Allure of Carrot Cake & More Decadent Creations

My love affair with carrot cake dates back to my very first bite in the 1970s. Growing up, dessert at my childhood home was more often a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream than anything elaborate, so any sweets that went above and beyond were truly memorable. Before my initial introduction to carrot cake, carrots were strictly relegated to side dishes! Little did I know the incredible transformation an ordinary carrot could undergo in a dessert recipe. It sparked a lifelong appreciation for this humble vegetable’s sweet potential. Is it wrong to want to try them ALL?!

If you’re as enamored with carrot cake as I am, you’ll surely appreciate these other delightful variations:

• Check out this stunning three-layer Carrot Cake with Caramel Filling, a sticky-sweet twist on the classic.
• Discover the charm of an Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Pineapple Flowers, a beautiful and flavorful classic.
• Indulge in these adorable and perfectly spiced Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies, a fun and portable treat.
• Plus, my personal favorite, the timeless Classic Carrot Cake, perfect for any occasion.
• For a playful twist, try these Carrot Cake Rice Krispie Treats from Wine and Glue.
• If you prefer cookies, these delightful Carrot Cake Cookies from Real Housemoms are a must-bake.
• And for a unique presentation, consider the elegant Carrot Cake Roll from Crazy for Crust.

The Recipe:

Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake Recipe

Prep Time
45 minutes

Cook Time
1 hour 50 minutes

Total Time
2 hours 35 minutes

Yield
10 servings

TWO decadent desserts in one!! This stunning Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake combines the best of both worlds, featuring moist carrot cake layers embracing a creamy, rich cheesecake center, all frosted with a luxurious mascarpone cream cheese icing. It’s an unforgettable dessert that promises rave reviews!

Ingredients

For the Moist Carrot Cake Layers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup canola oil (or other neutral oil)
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans recommended)
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 ⅓ cups pureed cooked carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)
• ¾ cup drained crushed pineapple

For the Luxurious Cream Cheese & Mascarpone Icing:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup mascarpone cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups nuts, toasted then chopped (optional garnish, e.g., pecans)

For the Creamy Vanilla & White Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:

• 1 pound (two 8-ounce bricks) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup (4 ounces) mascarpone cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped

Instructions

To Prepare the Carrot Cakes:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom of each pan with a parchment paper round, then grease the parchment paper as well.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Ensure they are thoroughly combined.
3. To the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients: canola oil, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until it is just well combined; be careful not to overmix.
4. Gently fold in the chopped nuts, shredded coconut, pureed cooked carrots, and drained crushed pineapple until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Divide the carrot cake batter evenly between the two prepared 9-inch pans. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. (Note: If you have particularly heavy cake pans, baking time may extend closer to 50 minutes. Cakes are done when the edges pull away slightly from the sides of the pan and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.)
6. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert them onto the cooling racks, remove the parchment paper, and let them cool completely for about 3 hours before assembling.

To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and butter until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
2. Gradually sift the powdered sugar into the bowl, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Increase speed to medium and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract until just blended. Set aside at room temperature until ready to assemble.

To Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:

1. Tightly wrap the outside of a 9-inch-diameter springform pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent any water from seeping in during the water bath. Line the bottom of the pan with a parchment paper round.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Gently melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese, mascarpone, and granulated sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy, with no lumps. The paddle attachment is ideal for cheesecakes to minimize air incorporation.
5. Add the large eggs one at a time, beating on low speed just until each is blended. Over-beating at this stage can lead to cracks. Mix in the flour and vanilla extract, then carefully fold in the slightly cooled melted white chocolate.
6. Pour the cheesecake batter evenly into the prepared springform pan.
7. Place the springform pan into a larger roasting pan. Carefully pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. This water bath helps the cheesecake bake evenly and prevents cracks.
8. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the cheesecake’s top is golden brown and the center moves just slightly when the pan is gently jiggled.
9. Carefully remove the springform pan from the water bath and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour at room temperature. After 1 hour, chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 6-8 hours). The cheesecake can be made up to 2 days ahead; simply cover it tightly once chilled and keep refrigerated.

To Assemble the Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake:

1. On your chosen serving plate or cake stand, place one completely cooled carrot cake layer, ensuring the rounded side is facing down for a stable base. Spread a thin, even layer of the prepared cream cheese frosting over the top of this cake layer.
2. Carefully remove the chilled cheesecake from its springform pan (don’t forget to peel off the parchment round from the bottom). Gently center the cheesecake layer on top of the frosted carrot cake layer. Place the second carrot cake layer on top of the cheesecake, rounded side down.
3. Using an offset spatula, frost the entire cake generously with the remaining cream cheese icing. If desired, press chopped nuts onto the sides of the cake, or arrange a decorative ring of nuts on top for a beautiful finish. Allow the cake to come to room temperature for about an hour before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

This exquisite Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake recipe was thoughtfully developed and perfected through a delightful combination of beloved recipes from The New Basics Cookbook and culinary inspirations from Bon Appetit, creating a truly unique and irresistible dessert.

Recommended Baking Essentials

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. These are products I personally recommend for best results.

• KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
• 9-inch USA Pan Bakeware Round Cake Pan
• 9-inch springform pan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 782Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 510mgCarbohydrates: 87gFiber: 3gSugar: 68gProtein: 11g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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Process shot circa 2011, illustrating the cake mid-frosting.

In conclusion, this Cheesecake Filled Carrot Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and ingenuity. It brings together two classic comforting treats into one show-stopping creation that is sure to become a beloved tradition in your home. Whether for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a serious craving, this cake promises an unforgettable experience that will leave everyone asking for more. Dive into the delightful world of baking and create this magnificent masterpiece!