Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
One of my fondest kitchen memories is making Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars with my sister on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The smell of fresh strawberries mixed with sweet vanilla and creamy cheese filled the entire house, making it feel like magic. These bars are one of those recipes that instantly lift your mood they’re soft, moist, and have that perfect tangy-sweet bite that keeps everyone sneaking just one more piece. Today, I’m excited to share this recipe with you, so you can create your own cozy memories with family and friends.
I’ve made this recipe countless times, tweaking it slightly each time until it reached perfection. And let me tell you, it’s perfect for birthdays, tea parties, or even a simple weekend treat. By the end of this recipe, you’ll know exactly how to make Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars that taste like they came from a bakery, but with all the warmth and love of your own kitchen.
Why I Love Making Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars
There’s something so comforting about this dessert. It’s like a hug in bar form! The combination of a buttery cake base, creamy cheese filling, and sweet strawberry topping is just heavenly. I love that it’s easy enough to whip up on a busy weekday, yet elegant enough to impress guests. Plus, the bars are incredibly versatile you can swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries depending on the season, making this a year-round favorite.
For me, desserts are not just about flavor they’re about the joy of sharing. When I bring out these Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars at family gatherings, I watch my nieces and nephews light up as they dig in, and that is the best part of baking.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what you’ll need:
Cake Base
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Cream Cheese Filling
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry Topping
- 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, sliced
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Little Kitchen Secrets
- Let your butter and cream cheese come to room temperature; it makes the batter silky smooth.
- Fresh strawberries work best, but frozen berries thawed and drained can work in a pinch.
- Use a spatula to gently spread the cream cheese layer to avoid tearing the cake base.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
- Mix the Cake Base: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix until creamy and lump-free.
- Assemble Layers: Spread the cake batter evenly in the prepared pan. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture on top, spreading gently. Swirl lightly with a knife for a marbled effect if desired.
- Add Strawberry Topping: Toss strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Evenly layer on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are okay).
- Cool and Slice: Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Slice into bars and serve.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving these bars slightly chilled for breakfast tea, or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream for dessert. They also travel beautifully, making them perfect for potlucks. I often sprinkle a few extra fresh strawberries on top just before serving—it makes them look bakery-perfect and adds a fresh fruity zing.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the cake base and cream cheese layer the night before and bake in the morning. This makes your mornings extra special and stress-free.
100-Word Short Version
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars are soft, creamy, and irresistibly sweet. A buttery cake base topped with a smooth cream cheese layer and fresh, juicy strawberries makes them perfect for any occasion. Simply cream butter and sugar, mix eggs, and fold in flour. Spread the batter in a lined pan, layer with sweetened cream cheese, and top with sugar-coated strawberries. Bake until golden, cool, and slice into bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Easy to store, freeze, and make ahead, these bars are a cozy, comforting treat that will quickly become a family favorite.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 20 min
- Cook: 45 min
- Total: 1 hr 5 min
🛒 Ingredients <ul> <li>1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened</li> <li>2 cups (400g) granulated sugar</li> <li>4 large eggs</li> <li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li> <li>2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour</li> <li>2 tsp baking powder</li> <li>½ tsp salt</li> <li>16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened</li> <li>½ cup (100g) granulated sugar</li> <li>1 large egg</li> <li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li> <li>2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, sliced</li> <li>¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar</li> <li>1 tbsp lemon juice</li> </ul>
👩🍳 Instructions <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.</li> <li>Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.</li> <li>Mix flour, baking powder, and salt; fold into wet ingredients.</li> <li>Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.</li> <li>Spread cake batter in pan, top with cream cheese mixture, and swirl gently.</li> <li>Toss strawberries with sugar and lemon juice, layer on top.</li> <li>Bake 40–45 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely before slicing.</li> </ol>
📝 Notes
- Room-temperature ingredients ensure smooth batter.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge or frozen.
- Swap strawberries with other berries for variation.
🍽️ Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 bar 🍓 Calories: 320 kcal 🍓 Sugar: 28g 🍓 Fat: 18g 🍓 Saturated Fat: 10g 🍓 Carbs: 36g 🍓 Protein: 5g 🍓 Fiber: 2g 🍓 Sodium: 180mg 🍓 Cholesterol: 85mg
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars are soft, creamy, and bursting with fresh strawberries. Perfect for any occasion, they combine a buttery cake base, sweet cream cheese layer, and juicy strawberry topping for a dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, sliced
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt; fold into wet ingredients.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread cake batter in pan, top with cream cheese mixture, and swirl gently.
- Toss strawberries with sugar and lemon juice, layer on top.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth batter.
- Store bars in fridge or freeze for later enjoyment.
- Swap strawberries with other berries for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 85
Conclusion
Baking Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Bars always brings me joy it’s a recipe that combines love, comfort, and a little indulgence. Whether it’s a quiet afternoon treat or a centerpiece for a celebration, these bars never disappoint. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. Remember, the secret ingredient is always a generous sprinkle of love. 💛