Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bites Recipe

Introduction

These Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bites are a delightful twist on classic carrot cake, combining moist crumbs with cream cheese frosting and a candy-coated exterior. Perfect for bite-sized treats at parties or a sweet snack any time.

Ingredients

• 15.25 ounces carrot cake mix (plus ingredients required to prepare the cake, e.g., eggs, oil, water as per package instructions; Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist recommended)
• ½ can cream cheese frosting (about ¾ cup; Duncan Hines preferred)
• 12 ounces white or vanilla candy melts
• 4 ounces orange candy melts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bake the carrot cake according to the package instructions. Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding.
2. Step 2: Crumble the cooled cake into a medium-sized mixing bowl using a handheld or stand-up mixer. Add half the can of cream cheese frosting and mix thoroughly until no streaks remain and the mixture is evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Cover the mixture tightly and chill it in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up.
4. Step 4: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
5. Step 5: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the chilled cake mixture and roll each into a ball. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet. Return the baking sheet with the cake balls to the refrigerator until ready to dip.
6. Step 6: In a heat-safe medium bowl, melt the white or vanilla candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each until smooth.
7. Step 7: Remove a few cake bites from the refrigerator at a time. Dip each bite into the melted candy coating, using a fork to lift and gently tap off excess. For any uncovered spots, use a spoon to drizzle more coating. Use a toothpick to remove excess coating from the fork and to gently place the coated bites back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Allow the coated bites to set and harden at room temperature.
9. Step 9: Melt the orange candy melts in a small heat-safe bowl using the same 30-second interval method, stirring until smooth.
10. Step 10: Drizzle thin ribbons of the melted orange candy over the coated carrot cake bites using a spoon or small dipper for decoration.
11. Step 11: Refrigerate the finished bites until ready to serve to keep them firm and fresh.

Tips & Variations

• Use a high-quality cream cheese frosting for the best flavor and texture.
• Substitute orange candy melts with melted white chocolate tinted with orange food coloring for a natural color.
• For added texture, fold in chopped nuts or shredded coconut into the cake and frosting mixture before chilling.
• Ensure the cake is fully cooled before crumbling to avoid a soggy mixture.

Storage

Store the carrot cake cheesecake bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade carrot cake instead of mix?

Absolutely! Homemade carrot cake works perfectly and allows you to customize the flavors. Just be sure the cake is fully cooled before crumbling and mixing with the frosting.

Can I freeze these cheesecake bites?

Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving for optimal taste and texture.

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bites Recipe

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These Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bites combine the moist, spiced flavors of carrot cake with creamy cream cheese frosting, all coated in smooth white and orange candy melts. Perfectly bite-sized, they make a delightful treat for parties, holidays, or any time you crave a decadent dessert that’s easy to eat and share.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes (cake baking time as per package)
• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes (includes chilling and cooling times)
• Yield: Approximately 30 bites 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Carrot Cake Batter

• 15.25 ounces carrot cake mix (use brand such as Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist, including all ingredients required on the package to bake the cake)

Cheesecake Mixture

• ½ can cream cheese frosting (approximately ¾ cup, Duncan Hines recommended)

Coating

• 12 ounces white or vanilla candy melts
• 4 ounces orange candy melts

Instructions

1. Bake the Carrot Cake: Prepare and bake the carrot cake according to the instructions on the package of the carrot cake mix. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding.
2. Crumble and Mix: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer to crumble the completely cooled carrot cake. Add half a can of cream cheese frosting (about ¾ cup) to the crumbled cake and mix thoroughly until the frosting is evenly incorporated with no streaks visible.
3. Chill the Mixture: Tightly cover the cake and frosting mixture with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up for shaping.
4. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to place the shaped bites on later.
5. Shape the Bites: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the chilled cake mixture and roll each portion into a smooth ball. Place each carrot cake ball onto the prepared baking sheet. Once all balls are formed, return the baking sheet with bites to the refrigerator until ready for dipping.
6. Melt the White Candy Coating: Place the white or vanilla candy melts in a heat-safe medium bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until fully melted and smooth.
7. Dip the Bites: Remove a few carrot cake bites from the refrigerator at a time. Roll each bite individually in the melted white candy coating, ensuring it is completely covered. Hold each coated bite on a fork, gently tapping to remove excess coating. You can use a spoon to smooth out any bare spots. Use a toothpick to clean excess coating from the fork’s bottom and carefully transfer each coated bite back to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Set the Coating: Allow the coated carrot cake bites to stand at room temperature until the coating firms up and sets.
9. Melt the Orange Candy Coating: In a small heat-safe bowl, melt the orange candy melts in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each until smooth.
10. Drizzle Orange Candy: Using a spoon or small dipper, drizzle thin ribbons of the melted orange candy over the white-coated carrot cake bites for a decorative finish.
11. Chill and Serve: Once all bites are coated and drizzled, return the baking sheet to the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve. Enjoy these delicious, festive bite-sized treats chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Ensure the carrot cake is completely cooled before crumbling to prevent the frosting from melting and making the mixture too wet.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform bite sizes to ensure even coating and consistent portions.
• Chilling the cake and frosting mixture makes it easier to roll into balls and helps the bites hold their shape.
• Melt candy melts carefully in short intervals to avoid overheating, which can cause clumping or burning.
• These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For a firmer coating, place the coated bites in the freezer for 10 minutes before drizzling orange candy melts.

Keywords: carrot cake bites, cheesecake bites, carrot cake dessert, candy coated bites, no-bake cheesecake bites, party desserts, bite-sized desserts