Bright, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet, this Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe has quickly become a household favorite. It’s the perfect balance of tangy lemon and rich cream cheese, wrapped in a golden cake batter crust that’s oh-so-easy to make.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I have to say, these bars are a total game-changer when you want a dessert that feels homemade but comes together quickly. The combination of cake mix and cream cheese makes it so simple, but delivers big on flavor and texture every single time.
- Simplicity: Using a boxed cake mix as your base means less measuring and fuss, without sacrificing taste.
- Creamy yet tangy: The cream cheese layer mixed with lemon brings a smooth richness that’s balanced perfectly with bright citrus notes.
- Great for gatherings: These bars cut into 24 servings - ideal for parties or potlucks where everyone loves a sweet, refreshing treat.
- Flexible and forgiving: Even if you don’t bake often, the step-by-step instructions make this easy to master.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe plays a special role, blending into layers of flavor and texture that keep you coming back for more. Here’s a quick peek at what’s working behind the scenes and my top tips for selecting them.
- Cream cheese: This gives the bars their signature tang and creamy texture — I always use full-fat for best richness and flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Richness and moisture come from butter, and using unsalted lets you control the salt balance better.
- Yellow cake mix: Acts as a quick, flavorful crust; I recommend a quality brand with a buttery flavor for that perfect base.
- Eggs: They bind everything together and add structure — fresh eggs always make a difference in texture.
- Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and smoothness without graininess, dissolving perfectly into the cream cheese layer.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the lemon zest.
- Almond extract: Just a touch adds complexity and warmth, making the lemon pop even more beautifully.
Make It Your Way
What I really love about this Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I’ve played around with a few variations that add a fun twist depending on the occasion or what I have in my pantry.
- Lemon zest boost: I sometimes add fresh lemon zest directly into the cream cheese layer for an extra citrus punch — it makes the bars feel even fresher.
- Gluten-free option: Using a gluten-free yellow cake mix lets you enjoy these without compromising flavor or texture.
- Fruit toppings: For summer days, I like to top bars with fresh berries or a drizzle of raspberry sauce.
- Less sugar: You can reduce powdered sugar slightly if you prefer a more tart and less sweet experience.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe
Step 1: Soften Your Cream Cheese Like a Pro
Start by taking your cream cheese out of the fridge early so it reaches room temperature — it makes mixing way easier and prevents lumps. If you’re in a hurry, heating it in 15-second microwave bursts until soft works great, but watch it carefully!
Step 2: Prep Your Pan with Parchment
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on all sides. This little trick lets you lift the entire slab out after baking — no mess, no sticking, just perfect bars ready to slice.
Step 3: Make the Base Batter
Melt your butter gently either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Then, stir in the yellow cake mix and two of the eggs, beating until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly in the prepared pan — this will be your golden, cakey crust that holds everything together.
Step 4: Mix the Cream Cheese Layer
Back in the same mixing bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, the remaining two eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extracts. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides down a couple of times to get it well mixed. Then, gently spread this mixture over the cake batter layer.
Step 5: Bake and Cool with Patience
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Don’t worry if the center jiggles slightly when you pull it out — it will set fully as it cools. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. This resting time helps achieve those neat, perfect bars.
Step 6: Slice and Enjoy
Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then lift the whole block out using the parchment paper. Cut into 24 pieces or whatever size suits your gathering. A quick dusting of powdered sugar on top just before serving adds a pretty finishing touch.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe, a few little tricks can really boost your success — especially if it’s one of your first times baking bars like this.
- Softening cream cheese: Always ensure your cream cheese is completely softened — it makes mixing smoother and avoids lumps in your lemon layer.
- Even spreading: Use an offset spatula to spread both layers evenly — it helps prevent cracking and keeps the layers uniform.
- Don’t overbake: Stop baking when the center is still a touch jiggly — overbaking can make the bars dry and crumbly instead of creamy.
- Cool completely: Patience with cooling and chilling means cleaner cuts and a better texture, so don’t skip this step!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic look and extra sweetness. Sometimes, I add a few thin lemon slices or zest curls on top for a fresh, bright garnish that also tells everyone what’s inside!
Side Dishes
These lemon bars pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea or freshly brewed coffee — the citrus cuts through the richness perfectly. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a dollop of whipped cream to round out the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve brought these to potlucks or family gatherings, lining them up on a platter with edible flowers or a drizzle of raspberry coulis makes a stunning presentation. You can also cut them into mini squares and serve as bite-sized treats for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they keep for up to 4 days. They stay just as delicious chilled, which makes these bars a great make-ahead dessert.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these bars successfully by wrapping individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer bag. They thaw quickly at room temperature and maintain their creamy texture nicely.
Reheating
Because these bars taste great cold, I usually enjoy them straight from the refrigerator. But if you want them a bit softer, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave works well — just be careful not to overheat and melt the cream cheese layer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While you can use low-fat cream cheese, I recommend full-fat for the creamiest texture and best flavor in this Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe.
To prevent cracking, spread the cream cheese layer evenly and avoid overbaking. Cooling completely before cutting also helps keep the bars intact.
Absolutely! These bars actually taste better after resting for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Just cover and chill them until ready to serve.
Choose a quality yellow cake mix with a rich, buttery flavor. Avoid mixes with extra frosting packets or unusual flavors for best results.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s straightforward, delicious, and always impresses. Whether you’re after a quick dessert fix or something to wow guests, these bars deliver every time. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll become your go-to too.
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Cream Cheese Lemon 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
Delicious and creamy cheesecake bars made with a buttery yellow cake mix base layered with a smooth cream cheese and powdered sugar topping, baked to golden perfection for a delightful dessert.
Ingredients
Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
Cheesecake 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 let it sit at room temperature until softened, or microwave in 15-second bursts until very soft, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving at least 1 inch overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 45 seconds or melt it in a small saucepan over medium heat, then allow it to cool slightly.
- Make Cake Base: In the bowl with melted butter, add the yellow cake mix and 2 large eggs. Beat on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Spread this thick batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare Cheesecake Topping: In the same mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 2 remaining eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and fully combined, scraping sides as needed. Pour over the cake batter layer and spread evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until edges are golden brown. The center may still be slightly jiggly. Remove from oven.
- Cool: Place the pan on a wire rack and allow the bars to cool completely for 2 hours to set.
- Serve: Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan. Cut into 24 bars. Optionally, sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top before serving.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature avoids lumps in the batter.
- Using parchment paper with overhanging edges makes it easier to remove bars without breaking.
- Allowing the bars to cool thoroughly ensures clean slices.
- Optional powdered sugar on top adds extra sweetness and decorative touch.
- You can melt butter on stovetop or microwave depending on convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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