This classy yet easy Carrot Cake Cheesecake combines both moist carrot cake and creamy cheesecake into one irresistible Easter dessert.

This Carrot Cake Cheesecake is the perfect example of expectation vs. reality – ever hear of the saying?
It’s where you have what you think will happen then you have what actually happens. It’s pretty popular around the internet and I think of it all the time when something unexpected happens.
Like how my Mini Layered Guinness Cake turned out to be three layers instead of two or how this Carrot Cake Cheesecake was supposed to be two layers but became one.
I guess that means layers and I don’t get along. This Carrot Cake Cheesecake is the dessert I made for Easter dessert.

Expectation vs. reality has been the story of my life these past few years.
I thought I had it figured out. Go to college for four years, graduate, get a job, and work my way up the career ladder.
Going to college was everything I expected. I lived exactly where I wanted to live, never changed majors (I did change from web design to video production but still same degree), and graduated on time.
Then all expectations fell apart from there. I spent 13 months looking to start my career while spending 10 of those months at Target.
Then I moved to a small country town to a job I thought I wanted with a company I’ve never heard of.
If you told me on graduation day that this would be my life for the next four years, I never would have believed you for a second.
Although my expectations vs. reality were way off course, there was calm in the chaos.
I figured out who I was (and who I was not). I found both strength and weaknesses I never knew I had.
I lost best friends but gained even better ones.
And the best part of all – I found myself blogging again and finally, finally, figured out where I belonged in such a lonely, cold world.

Now I don’t have everything figured out. Does anybody ever really?
There are days where I’m torn inside, a constant battle between my thoughts and heart, confused as to what I want to do with my life.
It’s why I turn to baking so much. It’s the one thing I know I can do well and know what the outcome will be. But even then there are some expectation vs. reality moments.
The idea behind this Carrot Cake Cheesecake was to have one layer of carrot cake topped with one layer of cheesecake, very much like my Kit Kat Cheesecake Brownies.
However, when I tried to spread the cheesecake layer on top, it all sunk to the bottom. Now I have a cheesecake with a carrot cake crust. Or a cheesecake-stuffed carrot cake.
Whatever you call it, it combines the delicious flavors of sweet and nutty carrot cake with creamy and sinful cheesecake.

When I did some research on carrot cake recipes, I had some decisions to make.
Walnuts or pecans? Pineapples? Coconut? Because I had more walnuts in my pantry than pecans, I added in walnuts with some crushed pineapple and shredded coconut.
I was originally going to do a coconut milk frosting, but because it doesn’t refrigerate too well, I stuck with traditional cream cheese frosting.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake is the perfect dessert for Easter because Easter involves bunnies and bunnies love carrots.
And even if you don’t make it for Easter (or even celebrate it), this cheesecake is a great any day dessert to make.
It is a great reminder that even though life has expectations vs. reality, we always end up where we are meant to be.
This classy yet easy Carrot Cake Cheesecake combines both moist carrot cake and creamy cheesecake into one irresistible Easter dessert.Carrot Cake Cheesecake
Ingredients
Cheesecake
Instructions
More Carrot Cake Recipes

Carrot Cake Layer Cake

Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts
[email protected] says
Carla,
If you had asked me even 16 yrs ago what my life would be like today, I could never have come up with my reality. Just goes to show you.
My spouse loves cheesecake and carrot cake, so this would be right up his alley. Thanks for posting so I’ve got plenty of time to get some cream cheese!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says
hm… I know how you feel. Cooking is my outlet and I am good in it and if something goes wrong (and it does at times) then I start to doubt myself, but in fact I just had a bad day that’s it. Carla nobody has figured out life, it’s impossible. That is why I always tell myself to not expect anything in life and just flow along and it has worked out for me.
Your cake looks great though and don’t worry about the layer story. I bet I would finish it off in one go and if it is still alive I would come by for a coffee and cake session. (if I may of course!) =)
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
Wait till you´re ten years older, the gap between the two just gets bigger. And some good surprises come along too. The flavors in this recipe are like the math saying `the orders of the factors do not alter the product´. I think it´s a fantastic recipe Carla! And I even like that no two bites are alike. Thanks for hosting today.
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
I had a tough time after graduation too. Working three different crappy jobs always feeling under valued, but from this and your facebook posts it sounds like you are on a good path. Finally almost where you want to be.
I can tell you my dad would go crazy about this cheesecake. I’m responsible for about half our Easter menu and I’m really going to see if I can work this in.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Bunnies do love carrots! I lurve this.
Liz says
Thanks for hosting us, Carla! And despite a glitch with your cheesecake, I’d still pick it over any other dessert on an Easter buffet!!!
Renee says
I think it is a mighty tasty looking cake no matter if it was what you had intended. I’m sure the same will happen for your life and career. Soon you will be in a place that is the best for you.
Family Foodie says
Carla~ Thank you so much for putting together this fabulous event! You have done an amazing job…. So glad you are in a much better place…. You are wonderful and very talented!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Your carrot cake cheese cakes look out of this world! I’ll have a slice and a cup of coffee please!
Thank you for hosting a wonderful #SundaySupper!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
I think that this cheesecake is PERFECT just like it is…sometimes things don’t come out like we expect, but they’re still amazing! Just remember…chocolate chip cookies started out as a “failed” experiment! Can you imagine a world without CC cookies?!?!? Me either.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I remember when I met you over a year ago now. Here’s what I’ll say…I’m amazed at your talent. You’re going places. Also, I’m amazed at this cake.
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
I laugh out loud, true lol, whenever I look back at my 5 year plan I wrote my freshman year of college. I am so far from that. Your cheesecake looks amazing. If you had never revealed that it didn’t turn out perfect, I would never had guessed. I love the flavors of carrot cake, and I want to live inside cheesecake but that is probably not feasible. Everything seems to just work out in the end. Beautiful dessert! Thank you for hosting this week :)
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Life is funny like that; you start down one road and wind up on another. Best thing though is life is not a one way street. Thanks for hosting, Carla. Your cake turned out awesome!
Bea says
Carla, this sounds like the perfect dessert to me!!! It is beautiful. Thank you so much for hosting today :)
Bea says
P.S.: I agree with Kirsten – same here; life has a way of figuring itself out. Over twenty years ago
I moved to different place and it was quite lonely at times. At that time I certainly would not have
thought to end up on the west coast with a family.
Enjoy it looks like you are doing great and know that you always have friends to call upon!
Liz says
Carla this cake looks so good. Combining the cake and cheesecake together is pure genius! I bet it tastes so good – I might just have to make it for Easter next weekend :)
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Everything I’ve found on your blog makes me wish I knew you growing up! This cake is waaaay up there on my yummo-meter!
kathia Rodriguez says
OMG! Carla what a delicious dessert.
Diana @GourmetDrizzles says
What a beautiful post, and thank you sharing your journey with us! And your amazing cheesecake! I’ve learned more than anything in the last 42 years, that sometimes the most beautiful things can come out of things you would have never expected or imagined, as long as you are true to yourself and your passions! ;-)
Sherron[email protected] says
What a lovely cake. I love carrot cake and this in a cheesecake version sounds amazing! Thank you Carla for hosting this week. I understand about not knowing what to do and at times finding myself trying to reinvent or find myself again. Good luck in your search and I hope you will find something soon that fulfills all your needs.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I think we’re always figuring things out as we go along. Life is tough sometimes, but, like you said, we tend to figure out who we are as a person during those tough times. I have no doubt that you’ll find something you love to do and things will brighten up for you.
This cheesecake looks wonderful, even if it’s only one layer. And, I love the frosting. You are so talented, Carla!
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
Oh my goodness, I love carrot cake and I love cheesecake. The marriage of the two sounds incredible!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
What a beautiful cake!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Best. Cake. EVERRRRR.
Martin D. Redmond says
Your carrot cake cheesecake looks amazing! Wish I had a slice. Ever had a sparkling wine with cheesecake? It’s a nice pairing because the effervescence offsets the creaminess, and gets your palate ready for the next delicious bite!
Crystal says
Carrot cake AND cheesecake!? Say no more! I’ll be over in a few! :) Just kidding. I can”t even imagine how scrumptious this is! I guess I need to make it to find out! Thank you for sharing! Have a wonderful Easter!
The Ninja Baker says
Thank you for sharing your heart, Carla. I can relate in my own way =)
I’m grateful, too, for this fabulous cheesecake on top of carrot cake recipe.
You’ve combined 2 of America’s most popular desserts into one.
Congratulations!
M Luisa says
Is lovelly!! What a precious cake!!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I understand expectations vs reality. So many of my expectations were what was expected of me: go to college, get a well-paying corporate job, etc. But what do you do when what everyone tells you you should expect turns out not to be what makes you happy? It’s a learning experience all the way. And I can say for sure that every step of reality and expecting has helped shape me into who I am today. And, I think that’s what matters. Not if everything turns out the way you thought it would, but if you are learning along the way and becoming the person you hoped you would become. By the way, the cheesecake looks awesome! I’m having a hard time not running to the kitchen to make this right now!
Katie says
I am DEFINITELY going to need a big slice of this cheesecake: it sounds like perfection! I am such a sucker for any cake with cream cheese frosting, so a carrot cake cheesecake is a wonderful combo!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
Gorgeous, Carla! I love everything about this cake!
Susan says
Despite not making your expectations, I’m still loving how this turned out. I always liked cream cheese frosting with my carrot cake, so now it’s just filled with yumminess on the inside and out! Thanks for hosting this week Carla!
Dara says
You combined my two favorite things!!! What an amazing cake.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I read this post last week when I had free wifi at the airport but wanted to be sitting down with adequate time on my hands before commenting. Life has a funny way of throwing us curveballs and we can either choose to stay somewhere where we know in our gut we don’t belong or we can take a deep breath, take a risk and make a change. It’s hard as hell but it can be so rewarding. I’m a big believer in life leading us to where we really belong. The journey may be rocky and difficult (as I know it has been for you, which breaks my heart because you’re too fabulous to be sad) but I know you’re going to find your place. Until then, keep cooking/baking/blogging because you are amazing at it. I cherish all your words and even in the face of abject misery, you always keep your wit, intelligence and humour. Ok, now I need to talk about this cake. Just two words: holy yum! See – when you experiment, even when it doesn’t turn out as you expected, you create something incredible like this. Love it!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Just stopping back by to let you know I made this for my family for Easter and it was a HUGE hit! Everyone love it! This is a fantastic recipe!
Carla says
Eee this makes me so happy! Thanks for reporting back :)
Sarah says
I know this is an old post, but I thought I should comment. Baking soda isn’t kosher for passover. Just so you know for future years.
Carla says
The recipe is intended for Easter, not Passover. We combined the two holidays into one event because we have such a diverse group of bloggers, but not every recipe is necessarily for both holidays. I can see how you may of gotten confused (I do have it listed as Easter dessert at the bottom). I’ll go back and update the post with a little disclaimer. Thanks.