Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a dessert kick—can you relate? Each new recipe I try seems to top the last, and these Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars are no exception. If you’re a fan of strawberries and love the mix of fluffy cake with creamy topping, this one’s going to be right up your street.
This delightful recipe first caught my eye on Pinterest, thanks to The 36th Avenue, and I’m so glad I gave it a go. It looks fancy (like you spent ages in the kitchen) but is actually really easy to make. The result? A pretty-in-pink, slightly tangy, incredibly moreish bar that’s just as perfect for casual summer gatherings as it is for treating yourself with a cuppa.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
- A shortcut cake base with a homemade twist
- Light and fluffy with just the right amount of creaminess
- Fresh strawberries on top make them picnic-perfect
- Ideal for summer entertaining or a weekend baking treat
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Additional Time
30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Ingredients
-
1 box strawberry cake mix
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¼ cup (60g) soft butter
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3 eggs
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1 pack (225g) cream cheese, softened
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1 cup (120g) icing sugar
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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Fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F). No need to grease your tin.
- In a bowl, mix the strawberry cake mix, 1 egg, and the softened butter with a fork until crumbly. Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9×9 inch baking tin.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, icing sugar, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Scoop out ½ cup of this mixture and place it in the fridge.
- Add the remaining 2 eggs to the cream cheese mixture and mix until smooth. Pour evenly over the cake base in your tin.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until set but slightly wobbly in the centre. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, spread the reserved cream cheese topping over the bars.
- Slice into squares and top with freshly sliced strawberries.
Notes
Tip: Chill before slicing for cleaner cuts and a firmer texture.
Make It Your Own
Fancy switching things up? Try:
- Using raspberries or blueberries instead of strawberries
- Swapping lemon juice for orange zest for a citrus twist
- Dusting with extra icing sugar before serving
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars are the kind of dessert you think will be too pretty to eat, but trust me, you’ll be going back for seconds. I’ve already added them to my must-make list for summer gatherings. They're fuss-free, totally delicious, and oh-so-pretty on a plate.
If you give them a try, I’d love to see how yours turn out. Tag me over on Instagram or pop into the comments on Facebook, especially if you catch me Live on Fridays. I’ll be sharing more of my favourite easy desserts over there soon!
Looks Delicious!!! Will have to try these sometime.
Thank you Olivia! You’ll definitely want to try them! 🙂