If you’ve ever needed a dessert that’s quick, impressive, and downright delicious, you’re in for a treat with my Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe. Honestly, these bars have become a favorite in my house because they’re insanely easy to pull together, and they have that perfect balance of rich cream cheese and buttery cake flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through every step so your bars come out perfect every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples and a block of cream cheese—no fancy groceries required.
- No-Fuss Prep: The method is straightforward with no complicated layering or folding—in perfect bars from start to finish.
- Irresistible Texture: Creamy, soft cream cheese topping meets a soft and buttery cake base, giving every bite a little bit of heaven.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bars disappear faster than I can make them whenever I bring them to parties or potlucks.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients for this Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe are simple, but each one plays a crucial role in making the bars taste incredible and have just the right texture. Plus, since most home bakers already have these on hand, it’s a super convenient recipe to pull out last minute.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds tang and richness, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter: Melting the butter before mixing helps create that tender, buttery cake layer.
- Yellow Cake Mix: The base of the bars—using a good quality cake mix here keeps things moist and flavorful.
- Eggs: They bind the layers together and add structure so your bars hold up nicely when cut.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer smoothly without grittiness.
- Vanilla & Almond Extracts: These two extracts together add a subtle depth of flavor that really makes the bars stand out.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about the Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to boost the flavor or swap ingredients for dietary needs, you can make it uniquely yours without losing the magic of the original.
- Berry Swirl: Sometimes I swirl in some fresh or frozen blueberries into the cream cheese layer—adds a beautiful color and fresh pop of flavor that just feels special.
- Chocolate Lovers: I’ve also stirred mini chocolate chips into the cake batter, which makes these bars even more decadent and perfect for chocoholics.
- Lower Sugar: If you want to dial down the sweetness, try using a sugar-free cake mix or reduce powdered sugar slightly, but keep in mind cream cheese needs that sweet balance.
- Gluten-Free: Believe it or not, gluten-free cake mix works just as well, so no one has to miss out on this dessert.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Cream Cheese Nice and Soft
Start by pulling your cream cheese out of the fridge to let it soften at room temperature. If you’re short on time (because who isn’t?), pop it into the microwave in 15-second bursts until it’s soft but not melted. This step is key because soft cream cheese blends evenly, creating that silky top layer.
Step 2: Prep Your Pan with Parchment
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving plenty of overhang on the sides. This little trick makes lifting the whole batch out a breeze once it’s baked, so you can cut clean bars without breaking them.
Step 3: Mix the Cake Base
Start by melting the butter in the microwave or on the stove and then stirring in the yellow cake mix and 2 of the eggs. Use your mixer to blend everything until smooth and thick—this batter will form the sturdy base for the bars, so don’t skip beating enough here.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Topping
In the same bowl (less washing, yay!), mix together the softened cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides to catch any bits. Pour this over your cake batter layer and spread evenly.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes. Look for golden edges and a slightly jiggly center—this means it won’t be dry when cooled. I always place mine on a wire rack and let it cool for about 2 hours, which helps the bars set perfectly and be easier to cut.
Step 6: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy
Run a knife around the pan edges to loosen the bars, then use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab onto a cutting board. Slice into 24 pieces (or bigger if you want!) and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the top just before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
- Don’t Skip Softening the Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese lumps won’t mix smoothly and can cause the topping to crack during baking.
- Use Parchment Paper with Overhang: This simple step saves so much frustration when you’re trying to get out perfectly shaped bars.
- Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye near the end of baking—overbaking dries the bars out, but underbaking can make them too gooey to cut nicely.
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: Bars slice cleaner after cooling fully, so patience here means less crumble and prettier pieces.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a delicate dusting of powdered sugar over the top before serving—it’s simple, pretty, and adds that extra touch of sweetness. Sometimes I like garnishing with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream when I want to make them feel a bit more festive.
Side Dishes
These bars stand beautifully on their own, but I often pair them with light, fresh sides like sliced fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A cup of coffee or hot tea also makes for the perfect combo during an afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For potlucks or holidays, I like to arrange the bars on a pretty platter lined with doilies or greenery sprigs for a seasonal touch. Another fun idea is to drizzle a little melted chocolate or caramel over the top—instant wow factor that’s easy but impressive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay fresh for up to 5 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so sometimes I think they taste even better the next day!
Freezing
Freezing these bars works wonderfully. I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When I want one, I just pop it in the fridge overnight to thaw, and it’s almost as good as fresh.
Reheating
If you’d like your bars warm, I heat them gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds—just enough to soften without melting the cream cheese layer. I find this makes them taste indulgent and fresh from the oven!
FAQs
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Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic here, you can swap in white, vanilla, or even spice cake mix to tailor the bars’ flavor. Just keep in mind that darker cake mixes may change the color and sweetness a bit.
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What if I don’t have almond extract?
If almond extract isn’t in your pantry, you can simply omit it or replace it with an extra half teaspoon of vanilla extract. The vanilla alone still gives fantastic flavor, but the almond extract adds a subtle unique note I love.
- How do I prevent the cream cheese layer from cracking?
Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing, and beat the topping gently at medium-low speed to avoid incorporating too much air. Avoid overbaking too—the center should be slightly jiggly when you take it out.
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Can I make these bars ahead for a party?
Yes! They can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Just slice them right before serving, and if you want, add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar or garnish last minute.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t recommend the Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe enough if you want a dessert that’s easy enough for weeknights but delicious enough for entertaining. It’s that perfect game changer for when you want something special but without the fuss. Give it a try—I guarantee it’ll become one of your go-to treats just like it did for me and the crew!
Print
Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cream Cheese Bars combine a rich, creamy cheesecake topping with a buttery yellow cake base for a decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Softened cream cheese is mixed with powdered sugar and extracts for the luscious filling, layered over a smooth cake batter, and baked to golden perfection. Once cooled, these bars are easy to slice and serve, making them an ideal treat to share.
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 pound powdered sugar, about 4 cups
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Pull cream cheese from the fridge and set on the counter until softened, or place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second bursts until very soft, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving at least a 1-inch overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars after baking.
- Melt Butter: Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, about 45 seconds, or melt on the stovetop in a small saucepan over medium heat and then let cool slightly.
- Make Cake Base: Add the yellow cake mix and 2 eggs to the melted butter. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until smooth, about one minute. Transfer this thick batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Using the same bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Layer Filling and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter in the pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The center may be slightly jiggly, which is normal as it will firm up while cooling.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely for 2 hours for the bars to set.
- Slice and Serve: Run a knife around the edges to loosen the bars. Using the parchment overhang, lift the whole slab onto a cutting board. Cut into 24 bars. Optionally, sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.
Notes
- Softening the cream cheese at room temperature or microwaving it helps ensure a smooth filling without lumps.
- Lining the pan with parchment paper simplifies removal and cleanup.
- You can substitute vanilla or almond extract with other flavorings like lemon zest for variation.
- Bars can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days.
- Make sure the bars cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
