Name: Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix; ½ cup unsalted butter; 2 large eggs; 8 ounces cream cheese; 2 large eggs; 1 pound powdered sugar, about 4 cups; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract

There’s something just irresistibly creamy and sweet about this dessert, and that’s why my Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe always has a way of disappearing fast at any gathering. It’s a perfect blend of tangy cream cheese and rich cake mix wrapped up in an easy-to-make bar—trust me, you’ll want this one in your recipe box!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these bars—I was amazed at how such simple pantry staples transformed into a luscious, crowd-pleasing dessert. This Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe is the kind of treat you can whip up when life gets busy but you still want something special.

Easy and Quick: It uses a box cake mix combined with cream cheese for an effortless dessert that tastes homemade from scratch.
Perfect Texture: Creamy, dense, and just a little gooey in the middle—these bars hit that comforting dessert spot every time.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a potluck, family gathering, or dessert for the week, these bars fit the bill.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these in advance and they keep well, which means more time to enjoy with friends and family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

At first glance, the ingredients seem straightforward, but each plays a special role to create that iconic Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe texture and flavor. Here’s the scoop on why this combo is such a winner and some tips when you shop for them.

Cream Cheese: It provides the creamy richness and slight tang that balances the sweetness—make sure it’s softened for smooth mixing.
Unsalted Butter: Melting it gives moisture and helps hold the base together; unsalted lets you control the salt level.
Yellow Cake Mix: The "easy" part that delivers flavor and structure; I prefer yellow because it adds lovely buttery notes.
Eggs: Acts as a binder for both layers; dividing them between the batter and cream cheese layer is key for texture.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer uniformly and helps it set to a smooth finish.
Vanilla Extract: This adds warmth and depth, complementing the cream cheese’s tang nicely.
Almond Extract: Just a touch for a subtle nutty background—if you’re not a fan, you can leave this out or substitute with more vanilla.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

I love to add my little twists to the Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe—sometimes I sneak in chocolate chips or swap extract flavors to keep things interesting. Don’t hesitate to play around and find your own perfect version!

Berry Variation: Adding fresh or frozen berries to the cream cheese layer brings a pop of brightness—I tried blueberries once, and it was fantastic.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake mix to make this dessert friendly for everyone without losing that rich texture.
Flavor Swaps: Swap almond extract for coconut or lemon zest for a refreshing twist that keeps the layers vibrant.
Nutty Crunch: Top with chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe

Step 1: Soften the Cream Cheese

Start by setting your cream cheese out on the counter to get nice and soft. This makes mixing a breeze and guarantees that velvety texture everyone loves. If you’re in a rush, a quick 15-second burst in the microwave usually does the trick—just watch it carefully so it doesn’t melt.

Step 2: Prep Your Pan and Preheat Oven

Line your 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper—make sure it hangs over by an inch or so; this little detail saves you from a tricky un-molding later. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake.

Step 3: Melt Butter and Mix Cake Batter

Pop your butter in the microwave for about 45 seconds until melted (or heat gently on the stove). Combine the melted butter with the yellow cake mix and 2 eggs. I use my hand mixer on a low setting to get a smooth, lump-free batter. Spread this thick base evenly in your lined pan.

Step 4: Whip up the Cream Cheese Layer

Using the same bowl (don’t worry about a few crumbs!), mix together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts. Go slow at first, then speed up once everything starts combining to avoid splatter. Pour this luscious mixture evenly over the cake batter layer.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for about 35-40 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. The center might still jiggle a bit—that’s perfect! It means they’ll set beautifully once cooling. Let the bars rest for at least 2 hours on a wire rack before slicing, so they firm up perfectly.

Top Tip

After making this Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe more times than I can count, these tips have truly made all the difference between a good batch and a great one.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always soften cream cheese and let butter cool slightly after melting to avoid lumps in your batter.
Mix Gently: When combining the cream cheese layer, mix on medium-low speed to keep it smooth without over-aerating.
Don’t Overbake: It’s okay if the center jiggles when you check—overbaking dries out these bars quickly.
Easy Removal: The parchment overhang is key to lifting the entire slab out, so don’t skip this step.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe

Cream Cheese Cake Bars - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and dust a bit of powdered sugar right before serving—it adds a beautiful snowy finish. For something extra, a drizzle of warm chocolate or a handful of fresh berries on the side never hurts.

Side Dishes

To balance the sweetness, I like serving fresh fruit or a light salad alongside. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes for an indulgent pairing if you want to go all out.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, try cutting these bars into bite-sized squares and placing them on a decorative platter with edible flowers or mint leaves. I’ve also layered them in clear jars with whipped cream for a fun parfait-style dessert presentation that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep my bars stored in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay fresh and creamy for up to a week. Just make sure they're fully cooled before covering to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars before by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. They thaw beautifully overnight in the fridge without losing texture. A great option when you want to prep ahead for an event.

Reheating

These bars are best enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer them warm, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave works well. Just avoid heating too long or they’ll get too soft and lose that perfect bar texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives a classic buttery flavor, the recipe also works with white, spice, or even funfetti cake mixes for different tastes.

Is it necessary to use both vanilla and almond extract?

You can definitely omit the almond extract if you’re not a fan; vanilla alone still creates a deliciously fragrant cream cheese layer. The almond is just a subtle flavor boost I personally enjoy.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Look for golden edges and a slightly jiggly center when you gently shake the pan. Overbaking can dry them out, so it’s better to underbake slightly and have them set while cooling.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

This recipe relies on cream cheese and butter for its signature texture, so substituting dairy-free alternatives might alter the texture significantly. However, you can try using dairy-free cream cheese and butter, but expect a slight difference in richness and firmness.

Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe is one of those desserts I come back to again and again. It’s uncomplicated, incredibly tasty, and always a hit no matter the occasion. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and that it finds a special place in your kitchen, just like it has in mine.