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Stacked dessert bars with creamy layers and orange swirls on a white plate

Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars

Creamy sweet potato cream cheese bars with a buttery pecan cake mix crust, warm pumpkin pie spice, and a rich cheesecake-style swirl.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cream cheese sweet potato bars, sweet potato cheesecake bars, Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars, sweet potato dessert bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 package white cake mix regular size
  • 1 cup chopped pecans toasted
  • 1/2 cup cold butter cubed
  • 1 package cream cheese 8 oz, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature, divided
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz, divided
  • 3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes about 3 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish thoroughly and set it aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix and toasted chopped pecans. Add the cold cubed butter and cut it into the mixture until coarse crumbs form.
  • Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a firm crust layer.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 2 tbsp of the sweetened condensed milk until smooth and fully combined. Set the cream cheese mixture aside.
  • In another bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, the remaining 2 eggs, the remaining sweetened condensed milk, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
  • Pour the sweet potato mixture over the prepared crust and spread it into an even layer.
  • Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the sweet potato layer. Using a knife, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the sweet potato mixture to create a marbled effect.
  • Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the bars are set and the top is slightly golden.
  • Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature.
  • Refrigerate the bars until fully chilled before cutting into squares. Serve chilled.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten free, replace the regular white cake mix with a certified gluten-free white or vanilla cake mix.
Confirm that the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and cream cheese are labeled gluten free, as ingredient processing may vary by brand.
Use gluten-free cooking spray or line the baking dish with parchment paper to avoid cross-contact.
If serving guests with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, prepare the bars with clean utensils, bowls, and surfaces.