Description
Delight in the rich and creamy texture of Ooey Gooey Bars, a luscious dessert featuring a buttery cake mix crust topped with a smooth, sweet cream cheese mixture. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden edge with a soft, gooey center, these bars are an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust Layer:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Ooey Gooey Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a solid base layer.
- Prepare the Ooey Gooey Topping: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, continuing to mix until fully smooth. Finally, slowly stir in the melted butter until the mixture is combined and creamy.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the ooey gooey cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust layer in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out to the edges for uniform coverage.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. You’ll want the edges to turn golden while the center remains slightly jiggly but set — this ensures a wonderfully gooey texture. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 bars. Serve them at room temperature or chilled according to your preference.
Notes
- For a flavor variation, substitute the yellow cake mix with chocolate or spice cake mix.
- Add white chocolate chips to the topping for extra sweetness and texture.
- Swirl in a bit of jam or Nutella into the cream cheese mixture before baking for a delightful twist.
