Transform a Box of Cake Mix into Delectable Lemon Cream Cheese Bars!
Servings: 20 | Prep Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) of melted salted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
– 1 box (15.25 oz) lemon or yellow cake mix
– 4 large eggs, at room temperature
– 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
– 4 cups powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
– 1 tbsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
– 2 tsp vanilla extract
– Optional: liquid yellow food coloring
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Grease parchment paper.
2. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until combined. Press into the prepared pan.
3. In the clean mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beat until combined, then increase speed and beat until fluffy. Add remaining eggs one at a time, along with lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and food coloring.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake mix in the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden.
5. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. Lift bars out using parchment handles, slice into squares, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
6. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Tip: Dust powdered sugar before serving.
