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
Scale
Base
- 1/2 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
