French Vanilla Cream Bars
French Vanilla Cream Bars are a convenient recipe that uses boxed cake mix and cream cheese to make a delicious, creamy dessert.
Who knew cake mix was so versatile? I’ve been using up the boxes in my pantry and have another easy cake mix hack to share today.
I wanted to make something with cream cheese and thought a cream bar might be good. They are made with lemon cake mix, but not French vanilla.
The crust is the French vanilla cake mix, which tastes more like a cookie than a cake. It has a creamy, sweet filling and is then topped with more French vanilla cookie bits.
Next time, I may double the cream cheese mixture to make it thicker and more like a cheesecake bar.
These bars are melt-in-your-mouth yummy! The whole family enjoyed them. I ran out of French vanilla cake mix, so I’ll have to use another flavor. Whatever cake mix you have in your pantry would work.
It’s such an easy dessert to make, and I do not doubt that I’ll be making more of this recipe for my family to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft creamy texture
- Easy to make
- Can use any cake mix
- Satisfy your sweet cravings
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Box of French vanilla cake mix
- Cream cheese
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
How to Make French Vanilla Cream Bars
- Step One: In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, one egg, and the oil until it is crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of the crumb mixture for later.
- Step Two: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and pat the crumb mixture into the pan. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Step Three: Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and egg to a bowl and beat until smooth.
- Step Four: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
- Step Five: Sprinkle the 1 cup of crumb mixture on the cream cheese.
- Step Six: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until topping is golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Step Seven: Before cutting into bars, sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
What to Serve with Them
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- Maple Walnut Ice Cream
- Strawberry Ice Cream
- Mocha Latte
- Nutella Coffee Milkshake
Variations and Substitutions
- Any cake mix could be substituted. Chocolate or lemon would also be yummy.
- Add in more cream cheese to make it more of a cheesecake.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip.
If you like using cake mix in recipes, try my Caramel Apple Dump Cake and White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.
Storage Instructions
Cover and store any leftover French Vanilla Cream Bars in the fridge for up to 1 week.
You can freeze these bars for up to three months. Wrap them individually and let them thaw out at room temperature when you are ready to eat.
Dessert Bar Recipes
- Lemon Bars
- Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies
- Cheesecake Squares with Chocolate Nut Crust
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French Vanilla Cream Bars
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Ingredients
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix 15.25oz/432g box
- 1 package cream cheese 8oz/250g package, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, one egg and the oil until a crumbly consistency. Set aside 1 cup of the crumb mixture for later.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and pat the crumb mixture into the pan. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Add the cream cheese to a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla and egg to a bowl and beat until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over crust in baking pan.
- Sprinkle the 1 cup of crumb mixture on top of the cream cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until topping is golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Before cutting into bars, sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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I just made this. I added a little coconut to the cream cheese mixture. Then added a little shaved almonds. When it was done cooking i added a little bit of mini chocolate chips and my daughter said it’s amazing. Thank you for this recipe. Question does this need to be refrigerated?
Sounds yummy! I need to update this post. Yes, it should be refrigerated because of the cream cheese in it.
Would light whipped cream cheese work?  It’s all I haveÂ
It should be fine.
Stacie, you mentioned you might try doubling the cream cheese mixture. I wondered if you had tried it and if you had, did it require additional baking time?
I’m trying to remember! I think it took just a little bit longer – maybe 5 to 10 minutes. It’s been awhile and I should have wrote it down. Sorry!
Well my hubby couldn’t wait for me to get your answer. I did double the cream cheese mixture and it did take about 10 extra minutes. I used a chocolate cake mix and it was yummy. I tried it a second time with a vanilla cake mix without saving the cup for crumbs and used it all for the crust. After it cooled a bit, drizzled some melted caramel over the top of the cream cheese mixture and some sea salt. I love salted caramel anything.
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad they turned out for you. Sounds delish! I love salted caramel too 🙂
Oh these look wonderful an delicious! will have to give the a try!
Thank for the Post and the Recipe!
This looks absolutly delicious for a light dessert after dinner thanks!
Thanks for the recipe,my friend made these delicious
These bars look delicious,I will be making these when my Lent fast is over….what a treat they will be
Thanks for some creative ways to change up a cake mix!
i actually just made this. It’s cooling. Just wondering why there’s no measurement for the powdered sugar?? Or are we supposed to do what I did, just wing it? LOL
It’s just to sprinkle on top. I grabbed a few pinches of it to cover- about a tablespoon or two.
Looks delicious!
We will really enjoy your French Vanilla Cream Bars, YUM! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
What a great idea! I love this so much and am going to make this as soon as possible! Keep posting things like this, I really appreciate it!
I don’t often use cake mixes, simply because they make more than we can eat in a day or two, but may have to buy one to try these bars…they look and sound delicious.
This sounds great, thank you for sharing.
These vanilla cream bars look heavenly – I could eat one right now, I’d skip breakfast just for the treat, promise 🙂
Who would of known.!! Great recipe and I am going to do this one. I’ve pinned it to my pinterest board to find easy when I need it. 🙂
I love recipes like this one, easy and take no time to make up, plus can’t get any better just open a cake mix, thanks for sharing, I’m going to make this one on the weekend!!