Lemon Cheese Bars

These Lemon Cheese Bars are an easy, sweet, tart dessert that’s a total hit! They’re made with a yellow cake mix base, a lemony cheesecake filling, and a cake mix crumble topping.

I don’t know about you, but I love anything lemon. I’ll take lemon desserts over any other fruit desserts any day! 

These Lemon Cheese Bars are one of my favorite lemon desserts. The bottom is a fluffy yellow cake, and the top is a lemony cheesecake topping that practically melts in your mouth. The combination of textures is delicious, and the lemon flavor comes through just the right amount!

Plus, this recipe is kept extra simple with cake mix rather than a made-from-scratch cake! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal ingredients. We’re keeping it extra simple by starting with a cake mix. In addition to that, you need eggs, cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and oil! 
• Amazing texture. The cake layer is light and fluffy, while the cheesecake layer is smooth and velvety. They go together perfectly!
• Divine flavor. These treats are perfectly sweet and have just the right amount of lemon flavor. They are not overpowering but sweet and just slightly tangy.

Ingredients

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Yellow Cake Mix: You will need the cake mix plus the additional ingredients listed on the box (oil and egg).
• Eggs: You’ll use one egg for the cake layer and one egg for the cheesecake layer.
• Cream Cheese: Make sure you use a full-fat block of cream cheese.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works great.
• Lemon Juice: I recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.

How to Make Lemon Cheese Bars

These mouthwatering lemon cheesecake bars taste like you got them at a high-end bakery, but they take just 10 minutes to prep! 

• Step One: Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F.
• Step Two: Add the cake mix, egg, and oil to a bowl and mix until it reaches a crumbly consistency—reserve ½ cups of the mixture for later. 

• Step Three: Pat the remaining mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven.

• Step Four: While the first layer is in the oven, start preparing the second layer. In another bowl, beat cream cheese, lemon juice, sugar, and egg until smooth.

• Step Five: Spread the filling in the pan over the baked layer. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
• Step Six: Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Don’t forget to split up the cake layer. We’re sandwiching the cheesecake layer by baking half the cake, layering on the cream cheese mix, then adding the rest of the cake mix. 
• Use a full-fat cream cheese block. The flavor is better, and the texture is creamier. 
• Soften the cream cheese. It doesn’t blend well with the other ingredients if it’s too cold. Softening the cream cheese first ensures that there are no lumps!
• Let the first cake layer cool before you add the cheesecake filling. If it’s piping hot, it will just melt the cream cheese! 

Variations and Substitutions

• Try another cake mix. I use yellow cake mix for this recipe, but you could also use white cake mix, vanilla cake mix, or lemon cake mix if you like the extra lemon flavor.
• Make it more lemony. Use lemon cake mix and add some fresh lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra zip of flavor.
• Add a topping. After they cool, try sprinkling the finished lemon cheese bars with powdered sugar or drizzling the top with some icing.

Storage Instructions

Finished lemon cheese bars must be stored in the fridge, because the cheesecake layer won’t last at room temperature. They will last for up to 3 days. 

Can They Be Made Ahead and Frozen?

Yes! To freeze these bars, let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw in the fridge first!

How Do You Know When They Are Done?

You’ll know the bars are done when the cake layer on top is baked through and the cheesecake layer is firm. 

You can double-check the cake layer by inserting a toothpick into the center of the baking dish. If it comes out with cake crumbs on it, it needs a couple more minutes. If it comes out clean, it’s good to go!

How To Cut Without Making a Mess?

Cool them first! If you slice into the bars while they’re still warm, you’ll end up with a gooey mess from the cream cheese layer. 

Let them cool completely before you slice into them for the best texture! 

Lemon Desserts

• Lemon Bread
• Lemon Sauce
• Lemon Bars
• Homemade Lemon Curd
• Lemon Cheesecake Mousse
• Lemon Curd Coconut Macaroons
• Lemon Tiramisu

You’ll also love these French Vanilla Cream Bars and Cool Whip Cookies.

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.