Carrot cheesecake
Dive into the velvety soft world of our baked carrot cheesecake. Featuring a spiced biscuit base, cream cheese filling, and carrot mousse, you get the perfect combination of a classic baked cheesecake and a delightful, flavoured mousse. Walnuts and julienned carrots on top add texture and make it a visual delight, too. Give it a try and bake your way to an irresistible dessert or afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Base
Butter
|
75 g |
---|---|
Spiced biscuits (e.g., Bastogne), crushed
|
150 g |
Walnuts, coarsely chopped
|
50 g |
Optional: plastic cakes collar (about 8 cm wide)
|
---|
Cream cheese filling
Cream cheese
|
700 g |
---|---|
Sugar
|
150 g |
Vanilla pod (seeds only) or 1 tsp vanilla paste
|
1 |
Egg yolks
|
4 |
Egg whites
|
2 |
Lemon zest (unsprayed), finely grated
|
1 tsp |
Carrot purée
Water
|
300 ml |
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Carrots (approx. 300 g), in small pieces
|
4 |
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
|
3 tbsp |
Sugar
|
1 tbsp |
Carrot mousse
Gelatine leaves
|
4 |
---|---|
Cream cheese
|
200 g |
Egg yolks
|
8 |
Sugar
|
4 tbsp |
Fresh lemon juice
|
2 tbsp |
Double cream
|
200 ml |
Cream cheese topping
Cream cheese
|
200 g |
---|---|
Lemon zest (unsprayed), finely grated
|
1 tsp |
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
|
2 tbsp |
Icing sugar
|
50 g |
Decoration
Carrots, julienned
|
|
---|---|
Walnut kernels
|
Instructions
Base
Cream cheese filling
Carrot purée
Carrot mousse
Cream cheese topping
Tips
Using a plastic cake collar helps achieve a smooth, clean side of the cake when you release the ring and remove the plastic. Since you do not glaze or otherwise decorate the sides of the cake, a smooth and stringent side is worth trying for; and it is easily achieved with a cake collar. But you can, of course, make the cake without it; just run a knife around the edge of the springform pan before loosening the ring.
Impress your guests with a carrot cheesecake
It is easy to impress your guests with a homemade cheesecake, and with this beautiful, layered version, your cake will be remembered for a long time. It has quite some elements but is easy to make and looks intricate and quite fancy, guaranteeing you a lot of praise. It has almost pastel-like coloured layers of carrot mousse and cream cheese filling on top of a dark, spiced biscuit base, and it is topped with julienned carrot, walnuts, and cream cheese frosting.
A classic biscuit base as the foundation
Using spiced biscuits means that you infuse the base with warm, aromatic flavours like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger; spices that naturally complement carrot. Adding crushed walnuts makes the base even crunchier and adds a nutty depth. It is not only a sturdy base to hold the cheesecake fillings but also serves to enhance the flavour with its rich, buttery, and spiced notes.
Soft layers with cream cheese and carrot mousse
The two filling layers harmonise beautifully, creating a delicate contrast in flavours. The bottom layer is a classic cheesecake layer of cream cheese filling. It is rich and indulgent with a dense, creamy texture. Infused with subtle hints of vanilla and citrus, it balances the richness of the cream cheese with a refreshing lightness. The carrot mousse layer adds a delicious twist with its lighter and fluffier texture. It has a natural sweetness and earthiness from carrots, elevated and balanced by lemon zest. Together, these layers make each bite of the carrot cheesecake complex and utterly irresistible, transforming it into a sophisticated dessert.
Top with cream cheese, walnuts, and carrots
The toppings are just as important as the cake itself. The cream cheese frosting adds a luxuriously smooth and tangy layer, contrasting beautifully with the dense, sweet base of the cheesecake. The julienned carrots offer a subtle crunch and a fresh, slightly sweet note that cuts through the richness of the cheesecake. Their vibrant colour also adds a bright touch, adding contrast and colour to the appearance. Walnuts add a nutty flavour and a crunchy contrast, complementing the spiced notes of the biscuit base. Together, these toppings create a harmonious blend of smooth, crunchy, tangy, and sweet, making each slice of the carrot cheesecake a complex, sensory delight.
Enjoy the beautiful carrot cheesecake as a dessert or with your afternoon coffee
Elevate your afternoon coffee break or treat your guests with a delightful dessert. The striking layers of carrot mousse and cream cheese filling atop a spiced biscuit crust make for an impressive presentation that is ideal for both an afternoon sweet treat and a dinner dessert table. It is a simple yet elegant way to impress your family or guests or treat yourself to something sumptuous, making your afternoon gatherings or dessert time a memorable affair.
Decorate to fit any occasion
With its delicate looks, it is easy to decorate this carrot cheesecake for exactly the occasion you need. For special celebrations like Easter, adorn the cheesecake with colourful edible flowers, pastel-hued frosting, or small chocolate eggs to add a playful and festive touch. For a birthday bash, decorate with vibrant, colourful toppings like rainbow sprinkles or multi-coloured fruit and, of course, birthday candles. You can also top it with drizzles of berry coulis, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce, or you can dust it with edible gold or silver. To shake things up with the flavours, consider using orange zest and orange juice instead of lemon zest and juice. Simply substitute all lemon with orange. To complement the carrot in and on the cake, consider adding some spices to the carrot purée. If you need more inspiration for a special cheesecake topping, you can look at some of our other topped cakes. Our classic New York cheesecake has jam and fresh blackberries on top, our carrot cake with dates has swirls of skyr frosting and edible flowers on top, and our gluten-free Easter chocolate cake is decorated with chocolate nests and dragée eggs.