Irresistibly Easy Harvest Spice Bars with Cream Cheese: Your Perfect Fall Dessert

As the leaves begin to turn and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of warm spices baking in your kitchen. These Harvest Spice Bars with Cream Cheese are the quintessential fall treat, capturing the essence of the season in every delicious bite. Crafted with the convenience of a spice cake mix and crowned with a luscious cream cheese topping, they offer a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that will make them an instant favorite.

Whether you’re hosting a festive fall gathering, looking for a simple yet impressive holiday dessert, or simply craving a cozy treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these bars are the answer. Their straightforward preparation makes them accessible for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring a sweet and satisfying experience without the fuss.

Why These Spice Cake Bars Are a Fall Must-Have

If you’re searching for a go-to spice cake bars recipe, look no further. This particular creation stands out for several reasons. The interplay between the warmly spiced cake base and the cool, tangy cream cheese layer is nothing short of pure heaven. It’s a flavor combination that evokes all the best feelings of autumn, making it incredibly difficult to stop at just one bar. You might even find yourself wanting to keep the whole pan to yourself!

Like many of my favorite cookie bar recipes, these spice bars with cream cheese are incredibly easy to make. The process is wonderfully simple: combine a few ingredients, press them into a pan, and bake. This minimal effort yields maximum reward, perfect for busy schedules or impromptu sweet cravings. Plus, they freeze exceptionally well, making them an ideal make-ahead option for upcoming holiday parties or when you simply want to stash away a delicious treat for later.

Perfect for Parties and Gatherings

Planning a gathering or a holiday feast? These Harvest Spice Bars are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Their rich flavor and appealing texture make them irresistible, and they tend to disappear quickly! For this reason, I highly recommend doubling the recipe if you’re expecting a larger crowd. Alternatively, you could whip up a batch of these delectable bars alongside other popular fall desserts, like our equally delicious snickerdoodle cookie bars. Both are fantastic autumn treats that consistently win over guests.

The Convenience of Spice Cake Mix

Have you ever found yourself with an extra box of spice cake mix in the pantry that you haven’t gotten around to using? (Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone!) This recipe is a fantastic way to put that mix to good use. Instead of baking a traditional cake, transforming it into these incredible cream cheese bars offers a fresh and exciting twist.

Boxed spice cake mix recipes are a godsend when you crave that classic spice flavor but want a different dessert format or simply prefer a quicker, easier baking process. While you can certainly make your spice cake mix from scratch, the boxed version provides unparalleled convenience and consistent results. It’s a shortcut that doesn’t compromise on the comforting taste that makes fall baking so special.

Essential Ingredients for Your Harvest Spice Bars

Creating these delightful bars requires just a few readily available ingredients, combining to form a symphony of fall flavors. Here’s what you’ll need for both the spiced base and the creamy topping:

Spice Cake Mix: The foundation of our bars, providing all those wonderful autumn spices.
Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: Crucial for richness and texture in both layers. Unsalted is key for controlling flavor.
Eggs: Act as a binder and contribute to the moistness of the crust and the structure of the topping.
Cream Cheese: The star of the luscious topping, adding a delightful tang.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and aromatic profile.
Powdered Sugar (Confectioners Sugar): Creates a smooth, sweet, and perfectly textured cream cheese topping.

How to Bake Perfect Harvest Spice Bars

Follow these simple steps to bring these sweet and spicy bars to life. Precision in preparation ensures the best possible texture and flavor!

PREPARE YOUR BAKING DISH: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This small step makes cleanup and cutting a breeze.
CREATE THE SPICE CAKE BASE: In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix (typically two standard boxes), 1 cup of melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and form a thick, cohesive dough. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, forming the crust for your bars.
MIX THE CREAM CHEESE TOPPING: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. This is a crucial step for a silky topping. Next, beat in the 2 large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, add the ½ cup of melted unsalted butter and the 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, beating until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Gradually add the 4 cups of confectioners (powdered) sugar, mixing slowly at first to avoid a sugar cloud, then increasing speed until the topping is light, smooth, and fully combined.
BAKE TO PERFECTION: Carefully pour and spread the cream cheese topping evenly over the spice cake crust in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The bars are ready when the edges appear firm and golden brown, but the center still has a slight, gentle jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken. This indicates a perfectly moist and creamy interior.
COOL AND SERVE: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the Harvest Spice Bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling fully is essential for the cream cheese layer to set properly, ensuring clean and beautiful squares when cut. After cooling, cut the bars into 2-inch squares and serve. Enjoy this delightful taste of fall!

Tips for Success: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter for this recipe?

While technically possible, I strongly advise against using salted butter for these Harvest Spice Bars. The salt content in salted butter can vary significantly between brands and batches, making it difficult to predict how it will affect the overall flavor profile of your dessert. Baking recipes are often carefully balanced for sweetness, and adding an undetermined amount of salt can throw that balance off, potentially making the bars too salty or altering the delicate spice notes. For consistent and delicious results every time, always opt for unsalted butter in baking recipes, as it allows you to control the amount of salt added precisely.

What is the best way to soften cream cheese?

Ensuring your cream cheese is properly softened is a critical step you absolutely don’t want to skip! Attempting to beat cold, firm cream cheese can be incredibly frustrating – it will lead to a lumpy topping that’s difficult to spread and won’t have that desirable smooth, creamy texture. Here are two effective methods to soften cream cheese:

Room Temperature Method: The ideal way is to simply leave the block of cream cheese out on your counter for at least an hour (or even two) before you plan to start baking. This gradual warming allows it to soften evenly throughout.
Microwave Method (Quick Fix): If you, like me, often forget to pull out the cream cheese in advance, the microwave is your best friend. Remove the cream cheese from its foil wrapper, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave it on high for about 10-15 seconds. Check its softness; if it’s still too firm, microwave for another 5-10 seconds. Be careful not to overheat it, as melted cream cheese can affect the texture of your topping. You want it softened, not soupy!

How long will these spice bars last?

These delicious Harvest Spice Bars will stay fresh for about 3 days. To maintain their quality and flavor, store them in an airtight container. You can keep them either on the counter at room temperature (if your home is cool) or, for extended freshness and especially in warmer climates, in the refrigerator. If refrigerated, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Can I freeze them for later?

Absolutely, yes! These bars freeze wonderfully, making them perfect for meal prepping desserts or getting a head start on holiday baking. You have a couple of options for freezing:

Whole Slab: Once completely cooled, you can wrap the entire slab of bars tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil.
Individual Squares: For easier portioning, cut the cooled bars into individual squares. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen squares to a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

When stored properly, they will last for approximately a month in the freezer. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Explore More Delicious Fall Dessert Recipes!

If you’re loving the cozy flavors of autumn, be sure to check out these other fantastic fall dessert recipes that are perfect for the season:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: A moist and flavorful bread, studded with sweet chocolate chips and rich pumpkin spice.
Apple Pie Cupcakes: All the comforting flavors of apple pie, conveniently baked into individual cupcakes and often stuffed with sweet apple pie filling!
Pumpkin Crisp: A warm and inviting dessert with a tender pumpkin filling and a buttery, crumbly oat topping.
Apple Cider Bundt Cake: A beautifully moist cake infused with the delightful essence of apple cider, perfect for a crisp fall day.
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies: A seasonal twist on a classic, these cookies combine pumpkin spice with everyone’s favorite chocolate chips.
Apple Cookies: Soft, chewy cookies packed with the sweet and tart flavors of fresh apples.

Recipe

Harvest spice bars with layers of spice cookie, cream cheese, and a flakey crust.

Recipe

4.63 from 29 votes

Harvest Spice Bars

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 1 hour

Total: 1 hour 20 minutes

These harvest spice bars with cream cheese are the perfect treat for fall. Made with spice cake mix and cream cheese, they are a sweet and delicious fall dessert recipe for you to enjoy.

Servings: 24 bars

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Ingredients

Bottom Layer

▢ 30.5 ounces spice cake mix (2 boxes)
▢ 1 cup unsalted butter melted
▢ 1 large egg

Top Layer

▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ ½ cup unsalted butter melted
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ 4 cups confectioners sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Set the prepared pan aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the contents of both bags of spice cake mix, the 1 cup of melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix these ingredients thoroughly using a spoon or an electric mixer until they are well combined and form a thick, uniform dough.
Evenly press the prepared spice cake dough into the bottom of your parchment-lined baking dish. Ensure it forms a consistent layer.
In another large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
Add the 2 large eggs to the cream cheese mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined.
Next, add the ½ cup of melted unsalted butter and the 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until all ingredients are smoothly incorporated.
Gradually add the 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed at first to prevent the sugar from flying, then increasing speed until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined, forming a luscious topping.
Carefully spread the entire cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom spice cake layer in the baking dish.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are firm and lightly golden, while the middle still retains a slight jiggle when the pan is gently moved. This ensures a moist and tender result. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into 2-inch squares. Enjoy your homemade Harvest Spice Bars!

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Don’t forget to save this incredible recipe for your future fall baking adventures! Pin it to your favorite dessert boards on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever a craving for these delightful Harvest Spice Bars strikes.

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This recipe was proudly shared on The Weekend Potluck and Meal Plan Monday!