You’re catching me on a really good week. I’m fresh off a weekend of recharging with some girlfriends, there’s carrot cake cheesecake in my fridge, and I’m a few days away from a mini family reunion. All this, plus Easter just around the corner, makes for a gal who is feeling ultra-thankful today.

We don’t really shy away from the issues here. There’s lots of real talk and nitty gritty and probably a little bit of TMI from time to time. My goal here is always to fill your bellies with delicious treats, yes, but I also feel responsible for being transparent here too. Anytime there’s sharing of life stories, I think it’s really important to remind each other to rejoice in the victories, both big and small, way more frequently than we dwell on the hard stuff. Celebrating the things we have to be joyful about doesn’t mean our lives are without difficulty or that we have to put on a facade, but it’s healthy to remind ourselves of all the good that exists in our lives. Chances are there’s plenty to feel proud of.

So today, I gotta tell you, I’m feeling like a million bucks. This is a hard, hair-on-fire-busy kind of season, but I totally recognize that I get to do it with people who love and value me. That’s rare sometimes, right? To know that there’s people rallying behind you, people championing the way ahead of you, and a handful of folks to cheer you along at all the stops in between is such an incredibly blessing to experience. This has been a trying period of life, but it’s also been one filled with inspiration, unwarranted encouragement, and lots of love from unexpected (and expected) sources. I’m just so incredibly grateful.

Maybe that’s you today. Maybe you’re in season where your cup is running over on all sides. You might be finding wins around every turned page in a story where you’re the leading lady. If this is you, don’t forget to relish in this season. Share gratitude with the people on your team and take extra time to love on the ones in (and out of!) your circle that need the encouragement. At the same token, if this isn’t you and if you’re struggling on a road loaded with potholes and blockades, keep your chin up. Celebrate the tiny victories, no matter how lame or insignificant they may feel, and press on. Surround yourself with people who will help you stand when it’s hard to do so on your own. And remember that whatever you’re feeling is just an indicator, not a dictator, of your circumstances. You get to choose how you play the cards that you’re dealt, and my hope is that you play them like a champ.

So this carrot cake cheesecake. It seems fitting to talk about this hearty dessert fit for sharing during Easter season. I’m always reminded of all the cool things I have to be thankful for this time of year, and there is no shame in being really grateful for a cake, cheesecake, and 9 extra slices for your favorite friends. Am I right?

I’m sharing today’s carrot cake cheesecake with my pals at Kerrygold. I love products that can elevate treats that are already special all on their own, and Kerrygold is one of those trusted products for me. Here, their unsalted butter lends depth of flavor and moisture to the cake layer of this cheesecake. Truly, I am so proud to bolster up their butter, because it is the actual bomb.

This carrot cake cheesecake is basically a skinny layer of carrot cake topped with a brown sugar and cinnamon cheesecake and then slathered with a cream cheese frosting (drool). It’s over-the-top and extravagant in every way possible, but honestly, don’t we kinda love that sometimes? This carrot cake cheesecake is a great alternative to all those carroty desserts you’ll be making for the Easter bunny this year, and honestly, I think you’ll find it’s really hard to top this one.

To make this carrot cake cheesecake, we start with the cheesecake layer. Cream cheese, brown sugar, eggs and heavy cream whip into a cheesecake that is extremely flavorful and creamy. This is not a super dense cheesecake but it’s not a fluffy Japanese one either. It’s kinda like the cozy cousin to both of those and it’s perfect for topping the carrot cake. Set the batter aside while you prep your carrot cake. Here, we’ve adapted my favorite carrot bundt cake into a simple batter than comes together easily. Spoon alternating layers of carrot cake and cheesecake batter into a 9″ springform pan and bake in the oven until set. Getting all that batter baked before it’s too brown is a little tricky, so if you notice the top of your cake getting dark before you’re close to the end of bake time, just tent it with a piece of foil to protect it.

The frosting for this carrot cake cheesecake is totally optional, but I decided upon it to provide a finished look for the cake. The leavening in the cake batter puffs and makes for an imperfect top to the cheesecake, so to compensate I added frosting! Just trim any craggy edges off the top of your cake to smooth it as much as possible and then slather on the frosting. It adds an extra punch of sweet and helps to adhere all those toasty pecans to the top. WINNING.

This carrot cake cheesecake is a major win thanks to my friends at Kerrygold. I hope you all will consider supporting such an excellent product, especially for decadent desserts like this. I also hope you’ll count up all your other wins this week and find some room for gratitude no matter where you are. If you need a little encouragement, feel free to drop me a line. I’d love to be the one to share it with you this week. Hugs and love and happy baking to you all!

If you like this carrot cake cheesecake you should check out:

Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins

Carrot Bundt Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

Brown Sugar Cheesecake with Oatmeal Cookie Crust & Butterscotch

Smore’s Cheesecake

 

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