These Cream Cheese Bars are made with yellow cake mix for a quick and easy dessert. With a crisp crust and soft center, they’re perfectly sweet and deliciously decadent!
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Pin RecipeEveryone can appreciate a good dessert bar. Not only are they great for parties, birthdays, and even family holidays, but they’re a simple dessert recipe that you can hold and eat on the run.
Made with just six simple ingredients, this cream cheese bar recipe is one of the best! It’s creamy, soft, and delicious. There is no way you’ll be able to stop at just one!
Before you begin, be sure to check out my 10 Tricks To Make A Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade, and put any extra cake mix to good use!
Cream Cheese Bars
When it comes to baking and creating in the kitchen, people often overlook using cake mix. I don’t know why. It’s almost a foolproof method!
You can also use different flavors of cake mixes to add a bit of different flavor to these cream cheese dessert bars. The sky is truly the limit for this recipe.
Have fun with the process! While you’re in the baking mood, be sure to check out these Sugar Cookie Bars and these 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars, too!
Grab My Favorite Tools
Click on the products below to see my favorite tools for making this recipe!
Cream Cheese Bar Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Yellow cake mix – Any brand you like best will work.
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Cream cheese – Allow it to soften at room temperature before you begin.
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Variations
- Add toppings. You can stick with some powdered sugar on top. Or, add a drizzle of melted chocolate. I also think that shredded coconut would be delicious, too!
- As I mentioned earlier, use different flavors and varieties of cake mixes. Chocolate, strawberry, birthday cake – the options are endless.
How To Make Cream Cheese Bars
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350ºF, and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix: In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, butter and eggs. The mix will be thick but still smooth.
- Add to the pan: Press the cake mix into the greased pan, pushing it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
- Combine: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the cream cheese bits!
- Layer: Spread the cream cheese mix over the top of the cake in the pan. Make sure it is nice and even.
- Bake: Bake the cream cheese bars for 35 minutes. The top will be shiny and golden brown.
- Cool: Let the bars cool down, and dust with extra powdered sugar. Then, slice, and enjoy!
Quick Tip
For easy slicing, transfer the cream cheese bars to the fridge to chill. This will allow them to firm up a bit. Use a clean, sharp knife, and wipe it clean in between each cut!
How to Store Simple Cream Cheese Squares
Let the dessert bars cool to room temperature, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to five days.
You can also freeze leftovers for two to three months. However, the crust will likely become a bit soggy once thawed. They’re best enjoyed fresh!
FAQs
Yes, due to the added cream cheese, these dessert bars need to be stored in the fridge. You can let them sit out at room temperature to warm slightly before serving if desired.
They don’t, but a lot of people think that they do. They do have a creamy texture but are a bit sweeter than classic cheesecake.
I love dessert bars because there is no need for plates or forks! That’s less clean-up and less work for me (and you) in the end!
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Cream Cheese Bars
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking dish
- 2 Mixing bowls
- 1 Hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, butter and eggs. The mix will be thick but still smooth.1 box yellow cake mix, ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 eggs
- Press the cake mix into the greased pan, pushing it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla together until smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the cream cheese bits.8 ounces cream cheese, 4 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spread the cream cheese mix over the top of the cake in the pan. Make sure it is nice and even.
- Bake the cream cheese bars for 35 minutes. The top will be shiny and golden brown.
- Let the bars cool down with extra powdered sugar dusted on top. Slice and enjoy!
