Description
Delicious and creamy cheesecake bars with a moist yellow cake base topped with a smooth cream cheese layer, perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base
- 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Cream Cheese Topping
- 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 microwave 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, leaving at least 1 inch overhang for easy removal.
- Melt Butter: Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, about 45 seconds, or melt in a small saucepan over medium heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Make Cake Batter: Add yellow cake mix and 2 eggs to melted butter. Beat with a mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Spread thick batter evenly in prepared pan.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In the same bowl, combine softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and combined.
- Assemble Bars: Pour cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake: Bake bars for 40 minutes until edges are golden brown. Center may be slightly jiggly. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 2 hours.
- Serve: Run a knife around edges to loosen. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan onto cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces. Optionally sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese beforehand helps achieve a smooth topping without lumps.
- Using parchment paper with overhang ensures easy removal of bars without breaking.
- Allow bars to cool completely to set properly before cutting.
- Optionally dust with powdered sugar on top for extra sweetness and presentation.
- If desired, use room temperature eggs for easier mixing and better texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
