I feel dirty and kind of ashamed. I made a dessert using a box mix. But then I put that dessert in my mouth and immediately forgot my shamed feelings. ๐
A lot of the time, boxed cakes are dry. Sure they are easy, but they are nothing compared to my dream cakes. However, when you swirl them with a ton of cheesecake filling…well they definitely aren’t dry anymore. They actually turn out to be pretty dang divine!
And I know exactly what question is coming next…when am I going to do a Carrot Cake Dream Cake? Well, I’m working on it. I keep getting emails asking for one and I am trying my hardest! I just haven’t gotten it quite right yet. I promise to keep trying and once it’s perfect, you know y’all will see it here!
But in the meantime, I think this could definitely hold you over! I have always been a big fan of cheesecake and carrot cake together. The Cheesecake Factory makes a great Cheesecake Carrot Cake, and that is what I had in mind when I came up with this dessert idea. It’s super easy and really fast to put together — and makes a ton! This is defiantly a recipe you want to make to share!
NOTE: This recipe calls for an “odd” sized jelly roll pan. I don’t think it’s odd sized…it’s the size I use for everything. I have multiple of these large heavy duty jelly roll pans*. They rock! I use them for all of my cookies — they fit perfectly with a silpat*. If you don’t have a 13×18 size pan, I’m sure you can do it in a smaller one. However, you will want to make sure it has higher sides and it will probably take longer to bake.
Carrot Cake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz box carrot cake mix
- ingredients needed to make cake mix, eggs, oil, water
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
- ยพ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 18 jelly roll pan with butter or spray with Bakerโs Joy.
- Mix carrot cake mix according to package directions. Pour into greased pan. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until combined and there are no lumps.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Drag the tip of a knife through the carrot cake and the cheesecake layers to create swirls.
- Bake for 28 minutes, or until the center is set and it no longer jiggles. Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can eat them cold or let them come to room temperature before serving them. To let the come to room temp โ set them on the counter about 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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Just made this and it smelled so good while cooking! I can’t wait for it to cool!
Made this tonight. Mine baked up into a cake it didn’t flatten out. Did I do something wrong?
This looks delicious! Never would have thought of it. Can’t wait to try it out. The pictures are gorgeous, too.
So is it bad that I picked this receipe solely because I could cheat with a box mix?! ๐ Made it for a get together last night and everyone RAVED about it.
Eh, everyone uses cake mixes sometimes. I vote we all stop being embarrassed and just go for the minor assist. These bars look lovely and I”m definitely saving the recipe. Thanks!
Wow!! What a perfect combination of my favorite sweet treats ๐ I love this!
nothing to be ashamed about here – these look unreal! So delicious!
Box cake that looks delicious oh! I cannot wait for your carrot dream cake…
These look delicious – and easy for timid bakers like myself! ๐
I made your pumpkin dream cake a few days ago for a friend’s birthday and it was a huge hit! Thanks!
No shame in using a cake mix! These look amazing! You are incorporating my two loves, cheesecake and carrot cake. You evil genius!
Oo I’d love this for dessert on Easter!
Anything carrot cake has me swooning. I want these sooooo baaaaad!
That’s great that you got over your semi ashamed feelings one bite into these. Love it when things turn out so wonderfully! I love carrot cake and prefer to make cheesecake bars over cheesecake. Yours look so good!