Description
A stunning fusion of earthy carrot cake and bright apple sweetness, these blondies feature a dense, fudgy texture and a decorative lattice of creamy vanilla cheesecake. This professional-grade treat transitions perfectly from a cozy snack to a holiday centerpiece.
Ingredients
The Apple Carrot Blondie Base
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, coarsely grated
- 1 cup apple, coarsely grated (Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar + 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Spices: 1.5–2 tsp cinnamon, 0.5 tsp nutmeg, 0.5 tsp baking soda, 0.5 tsp baking powder, dash of salt
The Cheesecake Lattice
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with a parchment sling.
Blondie Base: Beat carrots, apples, sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in flour, leavening, and spices. Spread in pan.
Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese and sugar. Mix in vanilla, sour cream, and flour, then the beaten egg.
Pipe: Transfer cheesecake mixture to a bag. Pipe diagonal lines across the batter. Tap pan to settle, then pipe a second layer.
Bake: Bake on the lower rack for 23–28 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Coarse Grating: Coarsely shredded produce provides structural integrity; fine grating releases too much moisture and makes blondies soggy.
Lower Rack Logic: Baking lower in the oven ensures the dense, moisture-heavy base cooks through before the cheesecake lattice over-browns.
Sour Cream Secret: Adds professional stability and a tang that balances the richness of the cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Blondies
- Method: Grating / Piping / Baking
- Cuisine: Modern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Square
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 115
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: apple carrot blondies, cheesecake marbled bars, spiced carrot apple bars, fuji apple blondies, cream cheese lattice bars, autumn dessert recipes, fudgy vegetable blondies