These Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars have a sweet cheesecake swirl in the center that adds a creamy texture to these easy lemon bars.
Warmer weather is here! Can I get a woot woot from the crowd? Well, from the Florida crowd that is.
Time to open the windows, air out the house, clean those corners, and wipe down the fridge. There is something so exciting and fun about warm weather and the newness it brings.
The other day as I ran outside the birds were chirping like crazy. It put a smile on my face to hear how happy they sounded. I am now waiting excitedly for tree buds and spring flowers to start popping up.
Yes, I do realize that half the country is still under snow and dealing with cold blasts of wind. But here in Florida the weather is perfect. Give it a few more months and the humidity will return with a vengeance, and then I won't be as excited.
Warm weather brings out the lemon lover in me. It is such a bright and cheery flavor. It's why I love these Best Lemon Bars so much.
The other day I had to bring dessert to a dinner, and I couldn't get the idea of making lemon bars with cake mix out of my mind. Have you ever had one of those ideas that you just had to make right away? It happens to me all the time.
The pockets of strawberry preserves add a nice burst of flavor to this lemon bar recipe. This Honey Blueberry Sauce would be another delicious flavor to pair with the lemon and cheesecake.
Ingredients needed for this Lemon Bars recipe:
- lemon cake mix
- butter
- lemonade
- cream cheese
- sugar
- egg
- strawberry preserves
- powdered sugar
- sprinkles
Tips for making Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars:
Add melted butter and lemonade to a dry cake mix and mix until a soft dough forms. This is an easy way to make lemon bars from cake mix.
Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Press half the dough into the pan for the crust. The dough can be sticky. Spray a little bit of the nonstick spray on your hands before you press the dough in the pan if this happens.
Mix together the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add an egg and mix it again. Spread the cheesecake mixture over the dough in the pan.
Microwave the strawberry preserves for about 20 seconds to melt it slightly. Drop it by spoonfuls onto the cheesecake. Use a knife to swirl it gently.
Take the remaining dough and flatten small pieces with the palm of your hands. Place it over the cheesecake. Try to cover as much as possible, but it will be ok if some of the cheesecake still shows.
Bake and chill the lemon bars before adding a sweet lemon glaze and sprinkles.
Other easy lemon dessert recipes:
This easy two ingredient Lemon Cream Fruit Dip is a delicious and fresh treat to dip any kind of fruit in.
This gooey Blackberry Lemon Dump Cake is made with just three ingredients. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for an amazing dessert!
This Strawberry Lemon Snack Cake is delicious for breakfast or for any time of day. Fresh strawberry pie filling and a lemon glaze will have you smiling in no time.
Layers of cake, lemon mousse, and fresh fruit make these no bake Lemon Mousse Fruit Parfaits a sweet ending to any meal.
Circles of buttery, flakey pie crusts filled with lemon curd make the cutest little Mini Lemon Hand Pies
Recipe
![Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars](https://insidebrucrewlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Strawberry-Cheesecake-Lemon-Bars-27-1-480x480.jpg)
Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars
These Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars have a sweet cheesecake swirl in the center that adds a creamy texture to these easy lemon bars.
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- ⅓ cup lemonade + 2 teaspoons
- 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup strawberry preserves
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix together the dry cake mix, the butter, and ⅓ cup lemonade until a soft dough forms. Press half the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. The dough will be sticky, but keep pressing until it is evenly spread on the bottom of the pan. Nonstick spray on your hands also helps.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and beat again. Spread the cheesecake evenly over the dough in the pan.
- Place the strawberry preserves in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Drop by small spoonfuls all over the top of the cheesecake layer. Very carefully drag a knife through the cheesecake to swirl in the strawberry preserves.
- Take small pieces of the remaining dough and press flat in the palm of your hand. Place the pieces over the top of the cheesecake. Cover as much of the cheesecake as you can. There will be some places where the cheesecake will still show and that's ok.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 2 hours. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
- Stir together the powdered sugar and remaining lemonade. Drizzle over the chilled bars. Top with sprinkles. Let set. Cut into 24 bars. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
*The post for Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars was originally published on March 20, 2014. It has been updated and republished on February 20, 2019.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
I can't decide which part I like better. The lemon part or the strawberry. Guess I don't have to choose sides. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
No having to choose with these! It's the best of both worlds 😉
Eleni
Woot! Woot! Still waiting for spring in these parts. Lemon anything sounds delish but those bars look amazing and decadent.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
These are heavenly and so freakin cute Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jocelyn!
Amy | Club Narwhal
Jocelyn, I am so jealous spring has sprung where you live 🙂 One day Michigan will thaw out! These bars look so perfectly springy. And I am right with you, when spring hits, I just want to bust out all the lemons in the world. They are just so cheerful!
Marti
These look to DIE for!! Thanks for the recipe!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Marti!
Marcie
What great flavors to welcome spring with! Using lemonade in baked goods sounds very intriguing…I'm going to have to try it!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
Hello spring is right! And lemon and strawberry are just perfect! These bars sound amazing Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lindsay!
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
Woot,woot! I love spring and love these flavors! Pinned!
Kelly
Yay, I am so excited for spring too even though we are supposed to get a little bit more snow this weekend but that won't dampen my spirits 🙂 Especially looking at these pretty lemony bars! That cream cheese and strawberry layer sound out of this world! They are definitely bringing sunshine my way - pinning 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Boo for more snow! But it's almost April, winter has to leave sooner or later, right?! Thanks girl!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Lemon and cheesecake are my fav! These little bars are just too eat with those sprinkles!
But...not quite cute enough to prevent me from stuffing my face! Love the lemonade in there! Pinned
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks! 🙂
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
I love lemon and cheesecake! Bring on spring baby!!
Tanya
I'm with you, spring comes and all I want is lemon too!!! I love the cake mix, makes my life easier. And the quicker I can make them, the quicker I get to eat them!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Exactly!! Thanks Tanya! 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
These look marvelous and makes me want spring to come in with a bang!
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker
These bars look so good! That middle layer is to die for! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Layla!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
Woot, woot!! Yeah for spring!!! These little cheesecake bars are just beautiful Jocelyn!!!
Amanda
These look so fun! Wonderful bars 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Amanda!
LuAnn Braley
I used to love making lemon bars with my mother. She was not into experimenting with recipes though, but I'm so glad you are, Jocelyn! Strawberries and cheesecake with lemon bars? I'm sure this must be a dessert selection in Heaven's cafeteria! :O)
Johlene
I love these! I dont know when I´m going to get time to make all the recipes I´ve bookmarked from your site...... Happy Thursday!! Xx
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Johlene!
Lavender
They are looking absolutely delicious! I love your photos!
Chloe @ foodlikecake
Yum 🙂 these look amazing I love all the flavor combinations
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks! 🙂