Scrumptious Easy Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars From Cake Mix

By Lindy Van Schalkwyk, last updated on October 3, 2024

These red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix are the perfect on-the-go snack! But, it is also perfect for virtually all special occasions!

Our recipe combines the ease of using a pre-made cake mix with a delicious creamy cheesecake recipe. And, the brownie size of each bite makes it easy to store, transport, and serve!

Wait… Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars From Cake Mix?

To our surprise, there’re actually aren’t that many cheesecake recipes that use cake mix. This is however unfortunate, as a cake mix will help more easily (not to mention quickly) set the cheesecake. And, you don’t even need that much dry cake mix!

You can add about 1 cup of mix to every 16-ounce cream cheese recipe of baked cheesecakes.

Now, the recipe we are making today is red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix. This recipe essentially merges three unique concepts. The first is a red velvet cheesecake (which is a unique flavor) and the second is a cake mix cheesecake. The third is making delicious on-the-go bars instead of a giant cheesecake.

All-in-all, what this creates is a red velvet flavored cheesecake that sets much more quickly than regular cheesecakes. And, the bars are also perfect for lunchboxes, birthday parties, high teas’, and loads more occasions.

What makes the red velvet flavor unique?

Red velvet is an incredibly unique flavor that was developed in the early 20th century. It is believed to have grabbed inspiration from a devil’s food cake.

A red velvet flavor profile incorporated unsweetened cocoa powder and a type of acid. This acidic ingredient (usually vinegar or lemon juice) helps tenderize the texture and balance the bitterness of the cocoa powder and the sweetness of the sugar.

While traditional recipes only used cocoa powder to make a brown cake, modern versions include red food coloring to create a unique red cake. These can have shades of crimson, red-brown, or red.

What other recipes can be made using cake mix?

You will be astonished when you learn how many desserts you can actually make with cake mix. There are thousands of recipes using cake mix that are all delicious and easy to make.

You can make anything from donuts, cookies, muffins, cakes and cupcakes, tarts, cheesecakes, and brownies. These are only a few ideas that you can make. We aren’t even covering flavors yet!

You can have a look at this list of incredibly delicious and easy recipes you can make using a simple box of cake mix.

What You Will Need To Make These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars From Cake Mix

Ingredients for the red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix

• 1 box (16.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1 cup milk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring

Ingredients for the cream cheese glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, sifted

Equipment

• 9-inch square baking pan
• Non-stick baking paper and baking spray
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Electric hand or stand mixer
• Rubber or silicone spatula
• Cooling rack
• Plastic or saran wrap
• Sharp knife

How To Make Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars From Cake Mix?

Step 1: Make the crust

Remove 1 cup of dry cake mix and set it aside for later use. Add the remaining dry cake mix into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 large egg to the cake mix, along with the oil. Mix well until you have a uniform dough-like product.

Press this cake mixture into the bottom of your lined cake pan. You can level it using the back of a flat measuring cup or mug. Set this mixture aside.

Step 2: Make the cheesecake brownie top

In another large bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and caster sugar. Beat it until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is fluffy.

Next, add in the remaining 3 eggs, only one at a time. Beat well between each addition, but only until they are just incorporated.

Finally, add the remaining cup of cake mixture (you kept it aside at the beginning). Mix the dry cake mix in until it has just been incorporated. Use a medium mixer speed.

Lower the speed and add your milk, sour cream, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Mix until you have a smooth uniform batter.

Step 3: Assemble and bake your red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix

Add your cheesecake filling on top of the cake mix crust you just lined the cake pan with. Smooth out the top using a rubber or silicone spatula (or pallet knife).

Then, bake the mixture for roughly 45-55 minutes, or until the center has just set. it shouldn’t wiggle a lot and it should definitely not be raw!

Once baked, switch off your oven and crack the door slightly. Allow the cheesecake to cool inside for roughly 2 hours.

Step 4: Make the cream cheese glaze

While the cheesecake is cooling, make the glaze. Simply beat together all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Then, heat it until it becomes pourable. You can allow it to cool slightly before pouring it over the cheesecake bars.

Once poured, wrap the entire cake pan in plastic or saran wrap and allow the bars to set inside the fridge for 2 hours.

Step 5: Slice the bars

Once your red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix have been set, you can remove them from the pan using a sharp knife. Slice along the side and carefully lift it out of the pan.

Then, place it on a flat surface and slice the sheet into a size that you like best.

Final Words – Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars From Cake Mix

We hope that you enjoyed this article and could draw some of your own inspiration from our red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix! If you have any other ideas for recipes using cake mix you would like us to make, let us know in the comments below!

Read more about Quick & Easy Magic Bullet Cheesecake Recipe – 10 Minute Prep.

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