Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Swirl Bundt Cake
This simple carrot bundt cake is a perfect combination of tender carrot cake and rich cream cheese filling that swirls together while baking.
A showstopper of a dessert, this carrot bundt cake is incredible! Easy to make, ultra-moist, and perfect for Easter (or any time of the year!).
Carrot Cake Batter + Cheesecake Batter
This spectacular carrot cake is unique in that it’s not just carrot cake. Instead, the classic carrot cake batter is infused with swirls of creamy cheesecake batter.
A few tips for the carrot cake:
- No need to peel the carrots before shredding.
- This cake works best with finely shredded carrots.
- Add the carrots with the dry ingredients.
- Don’t over mix the batter!
Assembling Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Swirl Bundt Cake
- Generously grease and flour (tap out the excess) a bundt cake pan.
- Pour in half of the carrot cake batter.
- Spoon or pour the cheesecake batter on top.
- Dollop the remaining carrot cake batter across the cheesecake batter.
It’s ok if that last bit of carrot cake doesn’t cover the cheesecake layer completely.
There’s no need to swirl the layers together. While the cake bakes, the carrot cake and cheesecake layers shift and find purchase in their new landscape, creating delightful ribbons of cheesecake throughout the cake.
Cream Cheese Frosting Options
Once the cake has been turned out and cooled completely, it is frosted with a very classic, very yummy cream cheese frosting.
You can go all in and put the frosting in a piping bag with a large circle tip to pipe across the top (like something straight out of a “Nothing Bundt Cake” store) OR just use an offset spatula or knife to spread the frosting over the top of the cake in dollopy swirls.
Feel free to double or 1 1/2 the batch of frosting if you want to cover more of the cake.
A Tried-and-True Favorite
This cake has been a family (and fan) favorite for years! Here are a few other rave reviews with insight into this tasty cake:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was so good!! I was in the mood for carrot cake this week, made this and it turned out great. So great in fact, that I had to send most of the leftovers with my husband to share with his coworkers. I can’t be trusted with it, haha! -Alexandra
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Made it, ate it, loved it! The “I don’t eat a lot of desserts” people in the crowd went for seconds! -Chris
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I made this for Easter dessert. It was really a hit with everyone (even those who claimed they didn’t like carrot cake. I used half canola oil, half applesauce and it turned out so moist and luscious. The frosting is to die for, I could have eaten it by itself. Thanks for another great recipe winner. -Pat
I hope you love this cake as much as we do! 🧡
Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Swirl Bundt Cake
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
- 1 ⅔ cup (237 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large carrots, ends trimmed and finely shredded (about 2 cups/175 g)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (212 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (106 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup neutral-flavored oil (like canola, vegetable, grapeseed, etc)
- ½ cup toasted chopped pecans (optional)
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, light or regular, softened
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (53 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Frosting:
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 2 cups (228 g) powdered sugar
- Chopped, toasted pecans, for sprinkling top of cake (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- or 10-inch bundt cake pan very well, getting in all the nooks and crannies. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out the excess, and set aside.
- For the cake batter, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and oil together until the mixture is thick, creamy, and well-blended.
- Add the dry ingredients, carrots and pecans (if using), and mix gently by hand until combined and no dry streaks remain. Set aside.
- For the cream cheese filling, in a medium bowl with an electric handheld mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat together the cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and egg until smooth and well-combined.
- Pour half of the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly across the top. Finish with the remaining carrot cake batter. It's ok if you can see the cream cheese layer peeking through – the carrot cake may not cover it all the way.
- Bake the cake for 45-60 minutes until the top lightly springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate to cool completely.
- For the frosting, in a medium bowl with an electric handheld mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), whip together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and well-combined. Add the heavy cream, sour cream and powdered sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the frosting over the top of the bundt cake. If desired, sprinkle toasted, chopped pecans over the top of the frosting.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: inspired by a recipe my friend Kim sent me (adapted my own favorite carrot cake to use, cut down the frosting amounts, added a bit of sour cream to the frosting because it’s the best thing ever, and varied a few other ingredients). Thanks, Kim!
Recipe originally posted March 2015; updated February 2025 with new photos, recipe notes, etc.
It’s in the oven! I hope I didn’t ruin the batter when I missed the “by hand” instruction in step 4. Since I had been mixing the eggs and sugar and oil with my hand mixer I just kept using it only noticing well into it that it was supposed to be by hand. If that is an important detail consider making “by hand” in bold.
I’ll soon find out along with everyone else at the Easter gathering. Fingers crossed.
This was so good!! Hit of the party!
I made this for our family dinner today and it was a big hit. Thanks for being my go-to for delicious recipes!
I received an adorable bunny pan as a gift — 6 little bunnies. A standard bundt pan recipe supposedly will make 10 bunnies. I’m planning on a white chocolate ganache glaze on the little guys for Easter. Do you think this recipe will work if I simply add a small scoop of the filling inside each bunny? I’d love to include cream cheese filling since there won’t be cream cheese frosting! And an incidental question you may be able to answer — can I color the white chocolate ganache with assorted gel food pastel colors without it seizing?
I think it should work! Sounds adorable! And yes, you should be able to color the white chocolate ganache especially if using gel paste vs liquid food coloring. The only thing I’d keep in mind is that too much food coloring might alter the texture of the ganache (give it a curdled consistency).
Turned out great gluten free. Subbed in cup4cup flour (the blue bag). Best carrot cake I’ve ever had. Baked it for the whole hour, felt a little too soft when I checked at 50 minutes.
Hi there I have a 6 cup bundt pan that I have used for loaf recipes or to halve recipes but never with cream cheese layer in them. If i cut recipe in half do you think with reduced time becasue of the smaller pan that the cream cheese swirl would be cooked fully? Thanks. Your recipes look amazing!
Yes, I think it should be ok!
This was so good!! I was in the mood for carrot cake this week, made this and it turned out great. So great in fact, that I had to send most of the leftovers with my husband to share with his coworkers. I can’t be trusted with it, haha! I used half applesauce like you mentioned and it worked well! Also, I was skeptical about the swirl working for me since I felt like I was doing something wrong, haha, but it turned out so pretty!!
Thanks, Mel!!
I halved this and put it in an 8X8 square glass pan–It turned out wonderfully! I may have overbaked just a touch, because mine didn’t seem quite as moist as this picture appears. However—It was still very, very good and I WILL be making it again!
Stop it,Mel! My belly grows with each and every recipe you post.This one was NO exception! I’ve been informed,no,ordered,to make this again.ASAP.Thanks!
I first came across your page when I finally grew tired of store-bought frosting.That was 5 years ago.Now?I think you KNOW! Kudos to you for the joy that you have brought to so many of us,Mel.I’m forever grateful,and let everyone know about just how wonderful your site truly is.
Made it, ate it, loved it! The “I don’t eat a lot of desserts” people in the crowd went for seconds! Made it in an angel food cake pan, worked perfectly.
This cake turned out delicious! It was so easy to make and was perfect for my husband’s birthday, since he LOVES carrot cake. Thanks for another great recipe!
I made this for Easter dessert. It was really a hit with everyone (even those who claimed they didn’t like carrot cake. I used half canola oil, half applesauce and it turned out so moist and luscious. The frosting is to die for, I could have eaten it by itself. Thanks for another great recipe winner.
I made this for Easter, and it received rave reviews! Thanks!
I made this for dessert yesterday, and it was amazing! The carrot cake was incredible. The cream cheese layer didn’t really swirl for me; instead it mostly sank to the bottom of the pan, but it still was a delicious layer. Thanks for another amazing recipe.
I made this for Easter and it was AMAZING! I followed the recipe to a T and it was perfect. I’m not a huge flavored cheesecake fan, but loved the contrast between the cake, filling and frosting. I’m one who is prone to baking disasters, so if you need a no fail dessert to impress, pick this with confidence. 🙂
I made it for Easter and it was fabulous! Thank you!!
Well, I’ve definitely achieved baking ninja status due to this bundle of deliciousness. And, let’s be honest. The only reason I’ve come even close to being a ninja in the kitchen is because of your recipes. I have made and love your carrot cake cheesecake but this is easier and equally divine. Thanks for another amazing recipe!
You are too cute, Megan! So happy you loved this cake. 🙂
I made this for Easter and everyone loved it! It looked so pretty with some easter sprinkles on top of that gorgeous frosting. My two year old gandaughter who usually doesn’t like cake ate a slice all by herself and wanted more! I did substitute half of the oil with applesauce and it worked beautifully. No need to double the frosting, it makes plenty and would be actually good without it as well. Thank you for a show- stopper recipe!
I made this for Easter dessert. Just as instructed. It was delicious, everyone loved it. Next time I’ll make two so that we can have a slice left for tomorrow! Thanks for you consistently wonderful recipes.
Made for our Easter dinner…looks divine! Who knew sour cream could make such a difference with the cream cheese frosting,
I love carrot cake with pineapple in it. Do you think this recipe would still work if I added some crushed pineapple that is well drained?
Not sure, I haven’t tried it but feel free to experiment.
Hi
I have a 15 cup bundt pan, will that be too big for this recipe.
Hi Jackie, yes, I think that is too big – the cake would be pretty flat/thin.
You’ve outdone yourself! This is my new favorite recipe! I can’t wait to make one for everyone I know! I’m always nervous about things turning out because of the crazy high altitude I live at, but this turned out perfect with no adjustments! Love it!
Oh my, I made this and the next day the whole thing was gone. I never even got to the frosting part. I am going to make one for Easter but will use the applesauce oil split. Very good, very moist, a true winner in my book!!
I made this yesterday. It is delicious – very moist and flavorful. Definitely a keeper!!
In the picture above, did you double the frosting or is it a single recipe? Thank you! Can’t wait to make this for Easter! 🙂
The pictures show the recipe how it’s written in the post. If you want extra frosting, double the amounts. Does that help?
Yes! Thank you!!
I made this last night and doubled the frosting. I frosted it like she did, and I used about 3/4 of the double recipe (but I don’t like skimping AT ALL on frosting!! I just put the extra in a container and will use it on cupcakes later……..the frosting is REALLY good!!!!!!!!
Really Mel, spring will be here in a few days which means summer will be here in a flash. This is NOT good for bathing suit season. If this is half as good as your unbelievable carrot cake ( which was proclaimed by my boyfriend as the best cake he has ever eaten ) we will be able to finish this whole thing in three days..or two maybe..haha. Darn you and your crazy awesomely good recipes.
Your recipe was recommended to me by somebody on Facebook. I am wondering if you ever have made it I had and frozen it as I have been asked to make a few for a school carnival cakewalk. I could’ve course frost at the last minute. Do you think this would be OK? Thank you in advance.
Yes, the cake freezes great after baked and cooled (works best to frost it after it is thawed).
Carrot cake in bundt form? Pinch me now. And not because it’s St. Patty’s Day and I forgot to wear green. 🙂 But because this looks so dreamy!! I can’t wait to try it. Pinned!
I am in pain!!! I feel like I want to eat this right off the screen! I hope I can make it in the next few days.
This looks so good!
I love carrot cake and choose it every time I am out for coffee and cake…..that happens more often that I am willing to admit 😉
Will be trying this soon! Thank you.
Your pumpkin cream cheese muffins are one of our favorites. And this carrot cream cheese looks and sounds just as delicious. I can’t keep up with all your goodness, Mel. This will have to wait until I try your new homemade yogurt recipe. I’m waiting on the nut bag. Your recipes are the very best!
Looks delicious! Great idea for Easter 🙂
I’m hoping you can answer this tonight as I want to get this ready to make tomorrow for a pot-luck on Wednesday at work. I bought pre-shredded carrots at the store. Do I need to put them through a food-processor again to make them like super fine? I wish I could attach a picture so you could see them. They are basically shredded like you would get if you used a peeler……do they need to be finer? Thanks!
Oh, also, I use the Pam with flour to flour my bundt. That will work for this, correct? I’m assuming it does. It sure does make it easier to hit all the nooks and rraniies than using regular flour.
I think I know what you are talking about, Lynda. If it were me, I would probably try to get them a little finer – the thinner they are chopped, the more moist the cake will be (you don’t want them mushy, just thinly and finely chopped). Having said that, I’ve eaten carrot cake before that had larger pieces of carrots so you probably don’t have to go through the extra step – I’ve never made this recipe, though, with large shredded carrots.
Ok, I will try that tonight. I didn’t get it done yesterday, but I have to tonight because the potluck is tomorrow!! I will let you know what I decided to do and how it turned out. Thanks for getting back to me.
Mel – one more thing. Do you use salted or unsalted butter in this? Thanks!
Salted. 🙂
Ah, I used unsalted. It tasted just fine. I really DO like the sour cream in the frosting. Couldn’t believe the difference. Haven’t had the cake yet, since it’s for a potluck today, but it LOOKS good!!! Wish I could share pictures!!!!!!
Oh, and I did put the carrots in the food processor with the chop blade (not the shredder blade because it wasn’t doing anything since they were already shredded). It did cut them up a lot more without mushing them, so again, I’ll see when we eat it this afternoon!!!!!!!
Well I had to make this TODAY <<< no self control. I used a 9" bundt pan (Nordicware Fleur de Lis) and it fit perfectly.
Two of my favorite desserts combined into one…I love this, Mel!
This bundt cake is gorgeous and sounds so amazing!
We are going out of town for spring break and get home the day before Easter….can this be made ahead and froze…..adding the frosting once the cake has thawed? Looks delish!
Yes, I think that would work great!
Mel, looks like you’ve got another winner here. Cream cheese swirl AND cream cheese frosting? Be still my heart! I, too, am a carrot cake aficionado. Just as I can’t pick a favorite kid (have 4 of ’em!), I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite carrot cake recipe. May I suggest one of my all-time favorites? It’s moist, dense and sink-your-teeth-in good. As much as I love frosting, all this needs is a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. http://www.fransfavs.com/2011/12/sylvias-carrot-cake/
Carrot Cake is my all time favorite dessert. This looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it!
I love the swirled cheesecake in the carrot cake, that sounds amazing! Also that frosting on top looks so, so good! I haven’t had carrot cake in eons, so that certainly needs to change!
Ok. This looks great but it is going to have to go on the back burner. Thursday, double batch of snicker-doodle cookies. Saturday (aka: Pi Day of the Century) two pies.
I’m completely sugared out.
However, this wont sit on the back burner for long.
I love the cream cheese swirl! Such a great idea!