Lemon Cheese Bars Recipe (2024)

These Lemon Cheese Bars are an easy, sweet, and 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 layer is a fluffy yellow cake and the top layer 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 Lemon Cheese Bars

• Minimal ingredients. We’re keeping it extra simple by starting with a cake mix. All you need in addition to that are eggs, crema 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. It’s not overpowering, but sweet and just slightly tangy.

Ingredients

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 1 egg for the cake layer and 1 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 cup of the mixture for later.

• Step Three: Pat the remaining mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes and then remove 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 in the pan over the baked layer. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
• Step Six: Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Equipment Needed

This post contains affiliate links.

• Lemon juicer
• Mixer
• 9-inch square baking pan
• Bowls

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. If it’s too cold, it doesn’t blend as well with the other ingredients. 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 a little bit of fresh lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra zip of flavor.
• Add a topping. Try sprinkling the finished lemon cheese bars with powdered sugar or drizzle the top with a little bit of icing after they cool.

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 Lemon Bars Be Made Ahead and Frozen?

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

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

How Do You Know When Cheesecake Bars 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, then it needs a couple more minutes. If it comes out clean, then it’s good to go!

How Do You Cut Lemon Bars 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 theseFrench Vanilla Cream BarsandCool Whip Cookies.

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacie, TikTok@simplystacierecipesor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

free ebook!

The Best of Simply Stacie

When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!