Carrot Patch Cheesecake Bars
Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen
Jump to recipeThere's carrot cake, and then there's CARROT CAKE—the kind of dessert that shows off because it's almost too cute to eat. With delicious details like carrots made from chocolate-dipped strawberries, these adorable Easter-themed cheesecake bars do the most with just a few essential McCormick products, including rich vanilla and bright food color.
Ingredients
- 1 cup
all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp.
McCormick Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp.
baking soda
- 1/2 tsp.
baking powder
Pinch kosher salt
- 2
large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups
shredded carrots
- 1/3 cup
brown sugar
- 1/3 cup
sugar
- 1/4 cup
chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup
vegetable oil
For Filling:
- 2
8-oz. blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup
sour cream
- 2/3 cup
sugar
- 3
large eggs
- 1 tsp.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp.
kosher salt
For Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups
white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp.
coconut oil
McCormick Red food coloring
McCormick Yellow food coloring
- 12
large strawberries
- 2 cups
whipped cream
- 2 cups
chopped pecans
Directions
- Step 1Preheat oven to 350° and line a 9”-x-13” pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, McCormick Ground Cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.
- Step 2In a medium bowl, stir together eggs, McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract, carrots, sugars, pecans, and oil until combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a crust begins to form on top of the cake, 15 minutes.
- Step 3Meanwhile, make cheesecake filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt and beat until combined. Pour over baked carrot cake layer and bake until only slightly jiggly, about 25 minutes. Let cool slightly, then refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
- Step 4Meanwhile, make orange chocolate: In a small bowl, microwave white chocolate chips and coconut oil on high for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds to remove clumps. Add McCormick Red and Yellow food coloring, then mix until combined. Keep adding until desired orange color is achieved.
- Step 5Make carrots: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce each strawberry with a skewer and dunk in melted orange chocolate, repeating to coat, if necessary. Place on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until set, 15 minutes.
- Step 6When cheesecake is cooled and “carrots” are set, top cheesecake with whipped cream and chopped pecans. Top with “carrots” and slice into bars before serving.
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