These Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a delicious twist on classic lemon bars, featuring a buttery lemon cake mix crust, a creamy vanilla cream cheese filling, and a smooth lemon cream cheese topping. With three distinct layers and a bright citrus flavor throughout, these bars are somewhere between a lemon bar and a lemon cheesecake.
Recipe Highlights
- A lemon bar and cheesecake in one: The creamy layers give these bars a cheesecake-like richness that sets them apart from traditional lemon bars.
- Three incredible layers: A cookie-style crust, a creamy vanilla filling, and a tangy lemon topping make every bite perfectly balanced.
- Shortcut-friendly: Starting with a lemon cake mix and canned vanilla frosting keeps this recipe simple without sacrificing flavor.
- Bright lemon flavor: Fresh or bottled lemon juice in the topping gives these bars a lovely citrus punch.
- Crowd-pleasing dessert: This recipe makes 24 bars, making it perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you need to feed a group.
- Make-ahead friendly: These bars need to chill before slicing, making them an ideal dessert to prep the day before.
Ingredients in Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Crust
- Lemon cake mix: Any 15.25-ounce box of lemon cake mix works here. It forms the base of the bars and gives the crust a bright lemon flavor right from the start.
- Butter: Melted real butter combines with the cake mix to create a soft, press-in cookie crust. Real butter gives the best flavor and texture.
- Egg: One egg binds the crust together so it holds its shape once baked.
Filling
- Vanilla frosting: A 16-ounce can of vanilla frosting blends with cream cheese to create the creamy middle layer. Any variety of vanilla frosting works well here.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds richness and a subtle tang to the filling. Regular, low-fat, or non-fat all work — just make sure it’s fully softened before mixing.
- Egg: One egg helps the filling set properly during baking, so don’t skip it.
Topping
- Cream cheese: The base of the topping layer. Again, make sure it’s fully softened so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Butter: Softened to room temperature, butter adds richness and helps create a spreadable, creamy topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the topping without making it too heavy.
- Vanilla extract: A small amount of high-quality vanilla rounds out the topping’s flavor beautifully.
- Lemon juice: Fresh-squeezed or bottled lemon juice both work perfectly here, adding that signature citrus brightness to the final layer.
Tips for the Best Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Tips for the Best Lemon Cream Cheese BarsFull instructions can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Soften the cream cheese completely: Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly and can leave lumps in both the filling and the topping. Set it out 15–20 minutes ahead, or microwave in 10-second intervals until soft.
- Don’t overbake: The center should still be slightly jiggly when you pull the bars from the oven. It will firm up as it cools.
- Let the bars cool fully before adding the topping: Spreading the topping over a warm filling will cause it to melt and slide. Make sure the baked layers are at room temperature first.
- Chill before slicing: At least 2 hours in the refrigerator is key for clean, even slices. Overnight is even better.
- Add lemon zest for extra citrus flavor: A little lemon zest stirred into the filling or topping will intensify the lemon flavor if you want a bolder citrus taste.
- Line the pan with parchment paper: This makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan cleanly before slicing.
Storage Instructions
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Because of the cream cheese layers, these bars should always be kept chilled.
These bars also freeze well. Place sliced bars in a single layer in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1 stick butter melted
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 1 can vanilla frosting 16 oz
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 egg
Topping
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 4 Tbsp butter room temp
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line 9X13 pan with parchment paper.
- Crust: In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter and egg. Press firmly into prepared pan.
- Filling: Stir together the frosting and softened cream cheese. Add the egg and stir, but don’t beat, until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture over cake mix mixture and spread to the edges.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until edges are slightly browned and set. The middle should still be slightly jiggly. The filling will set more as it cools. Let pan cool to room temperature.
- Topping: Beat all topping ingredients together in a bowl with an electric mixer. Carefully spread the topping over the cooled cream cheese layer. Chill for at least 2 hours before lifting the bars from the pan and slicing into squares.
Nutrition
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FAQs
Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled?
Yes, either works perfectly in this recipe. To juice a fresh lemon, cut it in half and squeeze firmly, or use a citrus press to extract every last drop.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes. Regular, low-fat, or non-fat cream cheese all work in both the filling and the topping. Just make sure it’s fully softened regardless of which variety you use.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges should be slightly set and lightly golden, while the center remains a little jiggly. It will continue to firm up as it cools — don’t wait for the center to look fully set in the oven.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. These bars are actually better the next day after chilling overnight, making them a great make-ahead dessert for parties or holidays.
Can I add more lemon flavor?
Yes. Stir a teaspoon of lemon zest into the filling, the topping, or both to give the bars a brighter, more intense citrus flavor.
Enjoy more bright, tangy lemon flavor with these recipes:
- These Lemon Cake Bites are bright, creamy, and irresistibly fun! Each bite is a perfect balance of zesty, smooth, and sweet—ideal for parties, gifting, or an easy treat anytime.
- Our Lemon Raspberry Muffins are soft and tender with a hint of bright lemon, juicy raspberries in every bite, and a sweet, buttery streusel on top. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a grab-and-go treat!
- Tossed with chicken, grapes, celery, almonds, and bowtie pasta, this Copycat Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad is a satisfying dish that’s perfect for lunches, potlucks, or easy dinners.
- Lemon Garlic Chicken is tender, juicy, and bursting with bright, zesty flavor—all ready in under an hour. Marinated for maximum flavor and quickly sautéed, it’s an easy, go-to weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
- This Homemade Lemon Cream Pie is sweet, tart, and irresistibly creamy, made from scratch with fresh lemons, rich cream, and buttery custard. It’s an easy yet show-stopping dessert that’s pure lemon perfection.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars with a lemon cake mix crust, a vanilla cream cheese filling, and a lemon cream cheese topping. Simple and delicious layered lemon bar recipe!
Natalie says
Oh my… these bars look gorgeous. And so delicious. This is the perfect treat to welcome Spring with. I will have to make this.
Katie says
These look like something that my family would be all over. Can’t wait to try these.
Julie says
Very delicious lemon bars! Going to make them again today. Can you freeze these once baked?
Nellie says
I haven’t tried freezing these because I haven’t had luck in the past with freezing most things made with cream cheese. Please let me know if you try it!