Jun 19, 2013

What is it about Red Velvet Cake? {Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars}

What is it about Red Velvet Cake that makes people take notice?
Is it simply the striking color?  The fact that you are consuming massive amounts of red dye?

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars: Ms. enPlace


What is it about Red Velvet Cake?
What's the deal?

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars: Ms. enPlace

Someone on a recipe forum once asked this question, confessing that she really didn't get it and ~gasp~ really didn't like Red Velvet Cake either.

Red Velvet cake is one of my favorite cakes.  My grandpa made it for me for my birthday.  It was MY cake, so that may have something to do with it.  I liked it best cold, directly from the icebox...which is a bit off compared to most cakes.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars: Ms. enPlace

Red Velvet Cake is not a cake I make often.  It's a lot of work.  And a lot of red dye.  But I've already mentioned that.

Maybe that has something to do with it too.  It's infrequency makes it more special.  It's usually made for special occasions.  Like Christmas.  Where all that red dye makes a little more sense.

It's probably a combination of all of the above.  At least it is for me.

A young co-worker recently introduced me to the next best thing to Red Velvet Cake.  Something her mom makes for her on her birthday.


Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars: Ms. enPlace
Unlike the real deal, I like these best warm.

The recipe is based on a Mr. Food recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars.  Except using Red Velvet Cake mix.  But you're smart enough to figure that one out.  And that you can use any flavor cake mix your little heart desires.

My mom is smart enough to figure out that these could also be called Ooey Gooey Bars a la Paula Deen.

I wanted to decorate these with a pecan half on top of each bar, but I ended up over baking and the top was too crackly for a pecan to stick.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
from Miss Chris

1 box red velvet cake mix
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, beaten
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 lb powdered sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease a 13 x 9 pan.

Stir cake mix, butter, and 1 beaten egg together in a mixing bowl.  Press the mixture into the bottom your pan.  Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer until creamy and well-blended.  Pour over the cake mix crust.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheesecake topping is just set (test with a butter knife).  Cool before cutting.

The theme this month is "Cheese"
pantry

Pantry items: 
cake mix
vanilla
powdered sugar
For some reason I had 2 1/4 bags of powdered sugar in my pantry.  
There's still a lot left.  I see beignets in my future.

Also linking with:

Jam Hands  Hearth and Soul blog hop at Premeditated Leftovers Feeding Big
Love Bakes Good Cakes
nap-time creations
White Lights on Wednesdays
Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Photobucket
BWS tips button Freedom Fridays
Memories by the Mile
 photo SimpleSupperTuesday_zps93ff0e49.jpg
MyMeatlessMondays
Ladies Only Blog Share

18 comments:

  1. This looks really good. Fond memories of our special dishes or desserts always trigger a happy feeling.

    Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Velva

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  2. A lovely red velvet bar! Looks so yummy. And I like red velvet cake. Love its velvety texture, and you are right, it is the perfect cake for a special occasion!

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  3. OMGhosh! so velvety..simply awesome. Love to try this.

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  4. Red velvet anything is my favorite! Would love to have you share it at our Ladies Only Blog Share link party - which has a summer theme this week! Visiting from Social Sunday! :)

    http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-funtastical-summer/

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  5. I must admit that I LOVE colors, and yes - in food, especially in desserts.
    It catches my eyes immediately.
    I've never had red-velvet cheesecake and I think it looks wonderful :)
    I'd love a slice or two.... please!

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  6. Oh my! Yum! Saved! I hope you have a great weekend.

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  7. I love Red Velvet anything:) These bars sound so good and the possibilities are endless just by changing the cake mix.....I think I would like to try this recipe using a Lemon Cake Mix:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  8. Hi this looks so yummy! I saw it on tasty tuesdays.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

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  9. Michelle,
    My go-to birthday treat was chocolate fondue, so I understand where you're coming from. What a great idea to use a boxed mix to make cheesecake bars!
    I'm glad to follow you on Tasty Tuesdays!

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  10. *drooling* Boy Michelle, these look spectacular! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

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  11. I like the twist of making Red Velvet Bars. You are right they used to be special occasion cakes. They look wonderful.

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  12. Yes, these are just like gooey butter cake! I never thought to use alternate mixes...duh! These look yummy. :)


    You should stop by and link up to my summer recipe round up! http://lifelovelibrarianship.com/summer-recipe-round-up/

    ~Visiting from The Hearth and Soul Hop~

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  13. That looks fantastic! Love the bright color!
    I'd love to have you share this and/or any other recipe at Wednesday Extravaganza - A Foodie Link Party! Hope to see you there :)
    http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2013/06/wednesday-extravaganza-34.html

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  14. I love the idea to use box cake mix as the base for cheesecake bars! I adore carrot cake and am thinking I need to give this recipe a try with it! Thank you for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays - pinning this right now. :)

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  15. I just licked the screen!! Two of my favorite cakes married!! Pinned

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  16. Hi Michelle! Just came from Thursday's Treasures. I love finding new creative dishes. Love red velvet myself...looks scrumptious!

    Cheers,
    Tammy (& Catherine) of Living the Gourmet

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  17. What a lovely idea! Your Red Velvet Cheesecake bars look absolutely delicious.

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  18. Those cheesecake bars look PHENOMENAL! :) And red velvet? How could anyone resist that? Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!

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Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments.