If you want a dessert that feels a little special without being hard to make, these chocolate cream cheese bars are a great choice. They start with a cake mix, which keeps things simple, and the cream cheese layer adds a soft, rich texture that makes them feel homemade in the best way.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe keeps things easy by using a few shortcut ingredients, but the finished bars still feel like something you would bring to a gathering or make for a weekend treat. The crumb base, melted chocolate chips, creamy center, and crunchy nuts all come together in layers that look impressive without much effort.
Quick Tips
- Soften the cream cheese first so the filling mixes smoothly
- Press the crust in lightly so it stays tender
- Let the bars cool before cutting for cleaner slices
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Devil's Food cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3 eggs, divided
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
Steps
- Mix cake mix, 2 eggs, and oil until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup.
- Press the remaining mixture lightly into an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and remaining egg until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.
- Bake 15 minutes more, then cool and cut into bars.
Makes
16 bars
These bars are the kind of dessert that feel easy to pull off but still look like you put in extra effort. Once you make them once, they are the kind of recipe you will want to keep around for potlucks, holidays, or any day you want something simple and chocolatey.