Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time:10 minutes Cook Time:35 minutes Total Time:45 minutes Servings: 12

Carrot cake bars with cheesecake swirled in!

ingredients

For the carrot cake:

1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

For the cheesecake swirl:

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup granulated sugar

directions

For the carrot cake:

Mix the butter and sugar before beating in the egg and vanilla extract.
Mix the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients before mixing in the carrot and coconut.
Spread the mixture along the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch baking pan.
Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top and optionally swirl it in.
Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean, about 30-40 minutes.

For the cheesecake swirl:

Mix the cream cheese, egg yolk and sugar.

Option: Add 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained and squeezed of excess liquid, to the carrot cake!
Option: Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, and/or cloves to the carrot cake!
Option: Add 1/4 cup raisins and/or chopped nuts to the carrot cake!
Option: Double the size of the cheesecake layer for more cheesecake!