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
Scale
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
