Perfect Potluck Dessert Bars Recipe

Introduction

Looking for a dessert that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress at your next gathering? The Perfect Potluck Dessert combines a soft cake base, creamy cream cheese filling, and melty chocolate chips to create a crowd-pleasing treat. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and egg together until a dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the baked crust.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer, then add chopped pecans if using.
5. Step 5: Drizzle the heavy cream over the chocolate chips and pecans.
6. Step 6: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
7. Step 7: Let cool completely, then slice into bars and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a different flavor, try using chocolate or white cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
• Swap semisweet chocolate chips for white chocolate or peanut butter chips for a new twist.
• Omit the pecans if you prefer a nut-free dessert or substitute with toasted walnuts or almonds.
• Chill the dessert before slicing to make clean, neat bars.

Storage

Store the dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual bars briefly in the microwave if you prefer them warm, or enjoy chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, this dessert can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to serve. This actually helps the flavors meld and makes slicing easier.

Can I freeze the dessert?

Yes, you can freeze the bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Perfect Potluck Dessert Bars Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.8 from 52 reviews

• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

The Perfect Potluck Dessert is a rich and delicious layered treat featuring a soft yellow cake crust, a smooth and creamy cream cheese filling, and a topping of semisweet chocolate chips drizzled with heavy cream and optional pecans. This dessert is simple to prepare yet impressive in presentation and flavor, making it an ideal choice for potlucks and gatherings where you want to wow the crowd with a sweet and satisfying dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

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

Cream Cheese Layer

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one large egg together until a dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust base.
2. Bake the crust: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 15 minutes. After baking, remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly to prepare for the next layer.
3. Make the cream cheese layer: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the slightly cooled crust.
4. Add the toppings: Sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the cream cheese layer. If desired, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped pecans over the chocolate chips for added texture and flavor. Then, drizzle 1/4 cup heavy cream over the chocolate chips and pecans to add moisture and richness.
5. Bake the assembled dessert: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Bake until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set, ensuring the dessert is cooked through but still moist.
6. Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the dessert from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking dish. After cooling, cut into bars for serving and enjoy your perfect potluck dessert.

Notes

• Allow the dessert to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean, neat bars.
• Chopped pecans are optional but add a nice crunch and contrast to the creamy layers.
• You can substitute the yellow cake mix with other flavors like white or butter cake for variation.
• For a fudgier texture, experiment with different types of chocolate chips such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: potluck dessert, layered dessert, cream cheese dessert, chocolate chip bars, yellow cake dessert, easy dessert, crowd-pleaser, chocolate pecan dessert