Creamy Cherry Cheesecake Bars

This beautiful dessert is a Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake (or Cherry Cheesecake Bars). It combines the rich, creamy texture of a classic cheesecake with a buttery cake mix crust, all topped off with sweet cherry pie filling.

Here is the full recipe to make it at home.

Creamy Cherry Cheesecake Bars

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Chill time: 2 hours (essential for clean slices)
• Yields: 12–15 bars

Ingredients

The Crust & Batter Base

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

The Cheesecake Filling

• 2 blocks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

The Topping

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep and Bake the Crust

1. Preheat & Grease: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Make the Crust Dough: In a medium bowl, mix together the dry cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a soft dough forms.
3. Press it Down: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form the bottom crust layer.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer

1. Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large bowl (or using a stand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together on medium speed until completely smooth and free of lumps.
2. Add Eggs & Vanilla: Add the remaining 2 eggs and the vanilla extract. Beat on low speed just until fully combined.
3. Layer it Up: Pour the cheesecake batter directly over the unbaked cake mix crust, spreading it into a smooth, even layer with a spatula.

Step 3: Add Cherries and Bake

1. Add the Fruit: Open the can of cherry pie filling and spoon it evenly across the top of the cheesecake layer. You can swirl it in slightly with a knife or leave the cherries whole on top just like in the photo.
2. Bake: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center will still have a slight, uniform jiggle.
3. Cool and Chill: Let the dish cool completely to room temperature on the counter, then cover and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before slicing.