Description
These Ooey Gooey Bars are a decadent dessert featuring a buttery vanilla cake base topped with a rich and creamy sweet cream cheese filling. Baked to a perfect golden finish, these bars offer a luscious, gooey center that melts in your mouth, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or any vanilla cake mix)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Prepare the Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir thoroughly until a thick dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base layer.
- Make the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, two eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter, and salt together until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the cake base layer in the pan. Use a spatula to spread it out smoothly, covering the entire surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top develops a light golden color and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean but still slightly gooey, indicating a soft center. The bars will continue to set as they cool.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling allows the bars to firm up and achieve the signature ooey gooey texture. Once cooled, cut into 12 equal squares for serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these rich, buttery bars as a delightful dessert or indulgent snack. They pair wonderfully with coffee or a cold glass of milk.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to achieve a smooth filling without lumps.
- Do not overbake; the bars should remain slightly gooey in the center for the best texture.
- Using parchment paper makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan for slicing.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For added flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling.
