Carrot cake cheesecake may sound like carrot-flavored cheesecake, but it usually isn't. Generally, this cheesecake is a combination of the two foods, with the cheesecake acting as frosting between layers of carrot cake. Sometimes this includes just one layer of cheesecake sandwiched between cake layers, while other cakes may have thin, alternating layers of both kinds of cake. The result is usually a moist, creamy, very decadent dessert.
Creating carrot cake cheesecake can be tricky for beginners. For this reason, those making this dessert for the first time may want to bake two 1 inch (2 cm) thick carrot cakes in layer cake pans and a 0.5 to 1 inch (1 cm to 2 cm) thick cheesecake in a third cake pan. When all of the cakes are cooled, the cook may simply turn all of the cakes out of the pans and stack them on top of each other. Cooks who prefer many layers may bake two or three 0.25 inch (about 0.5 cm) thick layers of each kind of cake in up to seven cake pans. These thinner layers may be stacked on top of each other as well.
Once the carrot cake cheesecake layers are assembled, this leaves the question of frosting. Some may find this dessert so aesthetically pleasing and decadent that it needs no frosting. Others may not like the striped look of the cake and decide to cover it to make it look more uniform. In these cases, a light frosting made with whipped cream and very little sugar generally does the trick. Whipped cream, all by itself, may even be enough; a heavy, sugary frosting on top of an already heavy, sugary dessert may take it from decadent to cloying.
Those who love to decorate cakes may enjoy sprinkling their whipped cream frosting with a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg. A cake stencil placed on top of the cake allows the mixture to stick in some places, but not in others, allowing for the creation of a range designs. Autumn leaves, damask patterns, and rabbits are all generally appropriate for a carrot cake cheesecake. Some may want to skip the stencils and simply grace the top of the cake with a few marzipan carrots.
Plain cheesecake is generally the flavor of choice when layering this rich dessert, but that isn't always the case. Carrot-flavored cheesecake brings the carrot theme home, while pumpkin or sweet potato cheesecake gives the dish an autumn harvest theme. Pineapple cheesecake brings out the sweetness of the carrots and gives the dessert a tropical touch. Cooks should typically stay away from sweet, rich flavors like chocolate. The acids in fruit flavors cut the sugary taste of carrot cake cheesecake, but chocolate, maple, or brown sugar flavors may be too much.
