There’s something irresistibly creamy and nostalgic about a good bar cookie, and this Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s a fantastic way to turn a simple cake mix into a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has quickly become one of my go-tos whenever I want something impressively rich without spending hours in the kitchen. The balance of cream cheese with the yellow cake mix creates a luscious texture that makes each bite feel like a little celebration.
- Deliciously Creamy: The addition of cream cheese transforms regular bars into something decadently smooth and rich.
- Simple Ingredients: It uses a box cake mix and everyday pantry staples, so it’s easy to throw together even on a busy day.
- Perfect Texture: Soft yet slightly dense, with a lightly crisp golden edge that’s just irresistible.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s an afternoon snack, a potluck dessert, or a sweet gift, these bars always get rave reviews.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe blends simple ingredients that come together perfectly to create those rich, creamy layers with just the right sweetness. Here’s why each component plays its part beautifully.
- Cream cheese: The star of the show, it adds tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness and gives the bars an irresistible richness.
- Unsalted butter: Melts smoothly into the cake mix, contributing to the tender crumb and enhancing flavor.
- Yellow cake mix: Acts as a quick base—no need to fuss with multiple dry ingredients, making prep a breeze.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while keeping the bars moist and satisfying.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer without grittiness and keeps that silky texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and a subtle depth of flavor that brightens the bars.
- Almond extract: Just a little goes a long way to add a unique, nutty note that complements the cream cheese beautifully.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe by switching up flavors and add-ins to suit the occasion or mood. It’s a versatile base that invites creativity!
- Berry Twist: I once folded in fresh blueberries into the cream cheese layer—deliciously fruity and fresh!
- Chocolate Lover’s Version: Adding chocolate chips to the cake batter or dusting cocoa powder on top gives it a rich, chocolatey depth.
- Nutty Crunch: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top add a lovely crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy texture.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the yellow cake mix for a gluten-free mix and check your extracts for gluten-friendly status.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Step 1: Soften That Cream Cheese
Start by pulling your cream cheese out of the fridge to soften at room temp; this usually takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, microwave it in short 15-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s nicely softened but not melted—this makes it easier to beat smooth and prevents lumps in the filling.
Step 2: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro
Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on the sides. This little trick is a game changer—it’ll help you lift the entire slab out when the bars are done, making cutting and serving a breeze.
Step 3: Mix the Base Batter
Melt your butter gently—microwave works perfectly here or melt on the stove and let it cool slightly. Then add your yellow cake mix and 2 eggs, beating until smooth. This forms a thick, rich batter that’s the perfect base layer for these dreamy bars.
Step 4: Whip the Cream Cheese Layer
Using the same bowl helps save on cleanup! Add cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and both vanilla and almond extracts. Beat everything on medium-low speed until silky smooth—stop to scrape the bowl sides so nothing’s left behind. Pour over your cake mix base and spread evenly.
Step 5: Bake and Cool With Patience
Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is just a bit jiggly. That jiggle is your friend here since the bars will continue to set as they cool. Resist the urge to cut immediately—letting them cool fully (about 2 hours) helps achieve clean slices and perfect texture.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then carefully lift the bars with the parchment overhang onto a cutting board. I usually slice into 24 small squares — perfect for sharing or saving room for seconds! Optionally dust with a little more powdered sugar for that pretty finishing touch.
Top Tip
Making the Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe for the first time, I learned a few little tricks that really help the final bars shine, so you don’t want to miss these!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese, butter, and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Once the powdered sugar is combined, mix just until smooth. Overmixing can toughen the cream cheese layer.
- Patience with Cooling: Cooling for the full 2 hours is crucial—it sets the bars perfectly and makes cutting easier.
- Parchment Overhang: This little parchment hack makes cleanup and serving so much easier. Trust me—no struggling to get bars out of the pan!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I love keeping it simple with just a dusting of powdered sugar because it adds a pretty, snowy finish without overpowering the flavors. For special occasions, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts can add a lovely touch.
Side Dishes
These bars are sweet enough on their own, but I’ve paired them with fresh fruit like raspberries or sliced strawberries for a refreshing counterpoint. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side takes it to dessert perfection.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or gatherings, I sometimes cut the bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a tiered serving tray. Garnishing with edible flowers or colorful sprinkles adds a cheerful flair that guests always appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge, where they stay fresh and creamy for up to 4 days. Just keep them chilled to maintain that perfect texture—trust me, nobody minds if you sneak a chilled bar straight from the fridge!
Freezing
This recipe freezes wonderfully. I wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I want a treat, I let them thaw in the fridge overnight and enjoy almost like fresh-baked.
Reheating
If you prefer your bars a bit warmer, I reheat single servings in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This softens them slightly without melting the cream cheese layer—which remains luxuriously smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic, you can experiment with white, spice, or even a funfetti cake mix to match your taste preference or occasion. Just expect subtle flavor shifts.
Make sure the cream cheese layer is well beaten and smooth before baking. Also, avoid overbaking—remove the bars when the edges turn golden but the center still jiggles slightly. Cooling gradually also helps prevent cracks.
It’s a bit tricky since cream cheese and butter are key to the texture and flavor here. You could try using dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based butter substitute, but note the texture and taste will differ from the original.
Cooling for 2 hours allows the cream cheese layer to set properly, making slicing clean and helping the bars hold their shape without crumbling. If cut too soon, the filling might be too soft and messy.
Final Thoughts
In all my years of baking, this Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe stands out as a foolproof and crowd-pleasing treat that's easy enough for an impromptu bake and impressive enough for any occasion. I recommend giving it a try—you’ll enjoy the creamy richness, the sweet balance, and the joy of sharing something homemade that everyone loves. Plus, once you make it your own with your favorite tweaks, it becomes a truly special staple in your kitchen.
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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 are a delightful dessert featuring a rich yellow cake base topped with a smooth cream cheese layer, sweetened with powdered sugar and enhanced with vanilla and almond extracts. Perfectly moist with a tender crumb, these bars are easy to make and wonderful for any occasion.
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Cream Cheese Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 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. Alternatively, microwave it in 15-second bursts until very soft, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Prepare Pan and Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it hangs over the sides by at least 1 inch to help with removal later.
- Melt Butter: Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, about 45 seconds. Alternatively, melt in a saucepan over medium heat and let slightly cool.
- Make Cake Batter: Add yellow cake mix and 2 eggs to melted butter. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Spread this thick batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In the same bowl, add softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Pour this mixture over the cake batter and spread evenly.
- Bake Bars: Bake for 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. It's fine if the center is slightly jiggly. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 2 hours.
- Release and Cut: Run a knife around the edges to loosen. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces.
- Optional Topping: Sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is thoroughly softened to avoid lumps in the topping.
- Using parchment paper with overhang makes removing bars from the pan easier and cleaner.
- Allow bars to cool completely for best texture and cutting.
- You can substitute almond extract with another teaspoon of vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
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