Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars With Cake Mix: 4 Sensational Recipes

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Last Updated on February 4, 2023

These sensational red velvet cheesecake bars with cake mix make a tasty dessert, whether for a party or to fulfill a sweet tooth craving. It is the perfect combination of flavors and is a treat everyone is sure to love. No matter the occasion, these bars are sure to be a people pleaser.

These red velvet cheesecake bars with cake mix do take some intermediate baking skills to make. However, the fact that they use a cake mix does save time, ingredients, and steps. You won’t regret making this delicious dessert, as it is well worth all of the steps.

What is Red Velvet Cake?

Red velvet is a popular cake flavor believed to have been developed in the Victorian Era. A staple in Southern America, it is a vanilla cake that has a few tablespoons of cocoa powder and red food coloring mixed in. Oftentimes, the cake also contains buttermilk and vinegar as well.

Oftentimes, red velvet cake is topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. The cake itself has a fine, soft, smooth consistency.

Since cake flour wasn’t around at the time, vinegar was used to tenderize the cake. Before WWII, cocoa powder was manufactured differently and would turn red when combined with acidic ingredients. This is what originally gave red velvet cake it’s signature red appearance.

However, once the process of making cocoa powder changed, it no longer takes a red appearance. Now, bakers will use red food coloring to give this popular cake its signature appearance. Now, in addition to cake, it is popular in other desserts including brownies, cookies, bars, cheesecake, and more.

What You Need: Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars With Cake Mix

Ingredients

To make these red velvet cheesecake bites, by Hershey’s you will need the:

• 1 box white cake mix (16.25 oz)
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring, divided
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 8 ounces of cream cheese (one package), softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces sour cream (one container)
• 1 tablespoon milk

Equipment

To make these bars, you will need:

• 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan
• Cooking spray
• Aluminum foil
• Large mixing bowl
• Wire rack
• Small mixing bowl
• Electric mixer

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Prepare Pan and Oven

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with aluminum foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan. Then, spray the aluminum foil that is in the cake pan with cooking spray.

Step Two: Combine Cake Mix, Sugar, and Cocoa Powder

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, 1/4 cup of sugar, and cocoa powder. Then, set aside half a cup of the cake mixture.

Step Three: Add Butter, Food Coloring, and Egg

With the remaining cake mixture, add the melted butter, one tablespoon of food coloring, and one egg. Combine the mixture until it is fully combined and then stir in the chocolate chips. Then, press it evenly into the prepared cake pan.

Step Four: Make the Cheesecake Topping

With an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Next, beat in the sour cream and two eggs. Set aside half a cup of the cheesecake mixture and pour the rest into the baking pan.

Step Five: Beat Reserved Cake Mixture and Reserved Cheesecake

In a large bowl, beat together the reserved cake mixture, reserved cheesecake, one tablespoon of red food coloring, and milk until combined. Then, drop tablespoons of the mixture into the pan and swirl with a knife to achieve a marble appearance.

Step Six: Bake the Bars

Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes, until the center is set, and then cool them completely on a wire rack. Then, place them in the fridge until chills and next cut them into 24 squares.

Tips and Tricks

These red velvet cheesecake bars should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. Allow them to reach room temperature before serving or enjoy them chilled if you would like.

Be certain to let the cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream reach room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients can curdle, messing up the texture of your cheesecake. Let these ingredients sit at room temperature for 3o minutes to one hour before using.

Instead of white cake mix, you can also use red velvet cake mix. To do so, leave out the cocoa powder in the batter. The cheesecake with red velvet cake mix will have a wonderful flavor that makes for a sweet, delicious dessert.

If desired, you can also freeze these bars as well. To freeze, wrap the bars individually in a layer of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Then, place all the bars in a Ziploc bag and return to the freezer for up to three months. To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight and then let them reach room temperature or be served chilled.

For the chocolate chips, you can use any type you like in the bars. Semi-sweet, dark, milk, or white chocolate chips will all taste delicious in this recipe. You can even use chocolate chunks, mini chocolate chips, or a combination as well.

Servings and Preparation Time

Bake Time	Preparation Time	Servings
30-35 minutes	25 minutes	24

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bites Recipe

Now you know how to make mini cheesecake bars, you may be wondering how to make red velvet brownie bites. If so, we have the recipe for you! For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the brownies:

• 1 stick of melted butter
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon of red food coloring
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar
• 2 large eggs

For the filling:

• 8oz packet of softened cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Now all you need to do is:

1. 1. Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 350F. You’ll also need to grease a cupcake/muffin pan with spray, or butter.
   2. Grab a bowl and add the following ingredients: salt, sugar, butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and food coloring. Mix well and then add the vinegar.
   3. Mix in the eggs and the flour, until you have brownie batter. Leave to one side.
   4. For the filling, add the cream cheese to a mixer, along with the yolk, vanilla, and sugar. Mix well until fully incorporated and then add the mixture to either a Ziplock bag or piping bag.

1. Add around a tablespoon of the brownie mix into your prepared pan and then pipe a small amount of cheesecake onto the top. Add around a teaspoon of brownie mix on top of that. Use a skewer to swirl them together, and then repeat for the rest of the brownies.
2. Place into the center of your preheated oven for around 12-14 minutes; depending on how well baked you like your brownies.
3. Remove from oven and leave to cool before removing and serving.

Red Velvet Cookies From Cake Mix Recipe

If you’re looking to make red velvet cookies, you can do so with a simple red velvet cake mix. To do so, all you need is:

• 1 box of red velvet cake mix
• 1/3 cup of oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of white chocolate chips

Now all you need to do is:

1. Gather the ingredients you need and preheat your oven to 350F. You’ll also need to grease a line a baking sheet, or two.
2. Grab a bowl and add the following ingredients: red velvet cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix well until completely combined. Once a dough begins to form, fold in the chocolate chips.
3. You’ll need around two tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Make it into a ball and then press down onto your prepared baking sheets. Ensure there’s space between them to expand in size.
4. Place into the center of your preheated oven for around 10-12 minutes. Once set, take it out of the oven and leave it to cool before removing it and serving.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe

If you’d like to make a simple red velvet cheesecake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the base:

• 16 crushed Oreos
• 1/4 cup of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon of sugar

For the filling:

• 3 packets of softened cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
• 4 beaten eggs
• few drops of red food coloring

For the frosting:

• 3oz of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar

Now all you need to do is:

1. Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 325F. You’ll also need to grease a cake pan and cover it with foil tightly.
2. In one bowl, add the base ingredients, mix well and then press down into your greased pan.
3. In another bowl, add the following ingredients: cream cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well and then add the eggs and food coloring. Once combined, pour over your crust.
4. Pour an inch of warm water into a pan that will fit your cake pan and then place it into your preheated oven for around 65-70 minutes. Once ready, remove from oven and leave to cool. Then place it in the fridge.
5. Once completely cool, you can frost the cake. All you need to do is add the butter and cheese to a mixer and beat until light. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.
6. Add your frosting and chill again before you serve. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Delicious Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

I hope this post has helped you to make red velvet cheesecake bars with cake mix. Whether for a party, potluck, or just because, these bars make a great dessert to serve. The combination of red velvet, chocolate chips, and cheesecake makes for a delicious treat. Using cake mix saves time and steps in the recipe.

Though these bars do require intermediate experience to make, they are well worth the result. You can even make them a day or two ahead to save time if you have a busy schedule. Be sure to store them in the fridge since the cheesecake topping is perishable.

Did you enjoy this tutorial for making red velvet cheesecake bars from cake mix? If so, please share your thoughts on the recipe in the comment section below and share this post with your friends and family who also love red velvet.

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