Description
Delicious layered cheesecake bars with a buttery cake crust and a creamy, smooth cheesecake topping, perfect for a sweet dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 box 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
Cheesecake Topping Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 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. Alternatively, place the cream cheese in a small microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in 15-second bursts until very soft, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it hangs over the sides by at least 1 inch to allow easy removal of bars after baking.
- Melt Butter: Place butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, about 45 seconds. You can also melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, allowing it to slightly cool before use.
- Make Cake Crust: Add yellow cake mix and 2 eggs to the melted butter. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the thick batter to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Prepare Cheesecake Topping: To the same bowl, add softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth and thoroughly combined, scraping down sides as needed.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cake crust, spreading evenly. Bake for 40 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. The center may be slightly jiggly but will firm up as it cools.
- Cool Bars: Remove from oven and place pan on wire rack. Allow to cool completely for 2 hours before serving.
- Serve: Run a knife around the edges to loosen bars. Lift the slab out of the pan using the parchment paper edges and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 24 pieces. Optionally, sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top before serving.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature or in the microwave ensures a smooth topping without lumps.
- Using parchment paper with overhang makes removing bars from the pan effortless.
- Allowing the bars to cool completely and set will help clean slices without crumbling.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle cinnamon lightly over the powdered sugar before serving.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
