Lemon Cookie Cheesecake Bars

We love this Lemon Cookie Cheesecake Bars recipe. It has the nice fresh taste of lemon but also has the rich, creamy cheesecake lemon oreo cookie dessert filling to make these lemon cookie bars perfection. 

Since these are made with a cake mix base, it eliminates some of the measuring you would normally do, but also produces a wonderfully chewy cookie bar base. 

Lemon cheesecake bars are also a great dessert to serve when guest are coming where you want to “wow” them, without a ton of work. They are absolutely gorgeous and taste even better.                   

Recipe Ingredient Notes

To make Lemon Cookie Cheesecake Bars, you will need the following ingredients:

Cookie Cake Layer

• Lemon cake mix
• Butter softened
• Egg slightly beaten
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• White chocolate chips

Cheesecake Layer

• Cream cheese softened
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon juice
• Lemon Oreo Cookies coarsely chopped
• Yellow food coloring

Lemon Glaze

• Butter melted
• Cream cheese softened
• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Yellow food coloring

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

• Non-stick Cooking Spray
• Baking Dish (9 x 13)
• Mixing Bowl (Medium)

How To Make Lemon Cookie Cheesecake Bars

1. Heat oven to 350℉. Grease a 9×13-inch glass pan with non stick cooking spray.
2. Mix the dry cake mix (do not follow directions on box), butter, egg, oil, and water together with a fork.
3. Then add in the white chocolate chips.  Spread evenly in the greased pan. Get all the way to the edges.  Set aside while you make the next layer.
4. For the cheesecake layer, combine the cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl and blend together well.
5. Then add the vanilla, eggs and lemon juice.  Stir in chopped Oreos by hand with a spoon.
6. Carefully spread the cream cheese layer over the lemon cake mix layer.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. (I cooked mine for 32 minutes)
7. Carefully remove it from the oven to prevent it from sinking.  Mine sunk just a little bit.  Let it cool for about an hour.
8. While it is cooling you can make the glaze.  For the glaze mix the powdered sugar and melted butter together.
9. Add enough lemon juice to form the consistency of thick frosting.  Then mix in the cream cheese and yellow food color (a few drops).

Do I need to use the yellow food coloring?

You definitely do not need to use the yellow food coloring. That is obviously not going to change the flavor of the dish. 

It is merely for presentation. But you can always leave it out and cut up a lemon and put it on top of the glaze and use it too! You know just to be fancy. Haha. 

Storage Suggestions

If you manage to have any leftover Bars + Brownies, these can store well if prepped appropriately. Once they have cooled completely, here is how you can store it:

• Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
• Freezer: To freeze, make sure bars and brownies are completely cooled and unfrosted. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (or Press & Seal) and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. For easier portioning, wrap individual squares before freezing. Don’t forget to label with the date. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Enjoy More Delicious Citrus Bars Recipes

There’s nothing better than an easy brownie or bar recipe. Check out our comprehensive list of brownies, bars, and blondies here.

• Key Lime Bars
• Lemon Bars
• Lemon Brownies with Lemon Frosting
• Frosted Gooey Lemon Bars