Introduction
If you’re a fan of rich, sweet, and buttery desserts, then Ooey Gooey Bars are about to become your new favorite treat. With a soft, buttery cake crust and a creamy, tangy cream cheese topping, these bars are the perfect combination of texture and flavor. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they are also super easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re baking for a party, potluck, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these bars are sure to impress!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
For the Topping:
- 1 pound powdered sugar (approximately 4 cups)
- 3 eggs
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Mix the Crust Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and the melted stick of butter. Stir until the ingredients are well incorporated and form a soft dough.
Press the Dough into the Pan:
Take the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Use your hands or the back of a spatula to spread it out into an even layer. Once pressed, set the pan aside while you prepare the topping.
Step 2: Prepare the Topping
Mix the Topping Ingredients:
In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 3 eggs. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to ensure the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese or powdered sugar remaining.
Spread the Topping Over the Crust:
Once the topping is smooth, pour it over the prepared crust. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly over the dough, making sure it reaches the edges of the pan.
Step 3: Bake the Bars
Bake in the Oven:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is set and golden brown around the edges. The center should still be slightly gooey, but the top should have a lightly crackled surface.
Cool the Bars:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This will help the topping set and make it easier to cut the bars into squares.
Step 4: Cut and Serve
After the bars have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles. Serve them as is, or dust with a little extra powdered sugar for presentation.
COOKING NOTE: For a firmer texture, you can refrigerate the bars for about 30 minutes before cutting them. If you prefer an even gooier center, bake for the shorter time (around 35 minutes), but if you like a more set bar, bake closer to 40 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
These Ooey Gooey Bars are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. They’re perfect for dessert, but they’re also great for bringing to parties, picnics, or bake sales due to their simple preparation and crowd-pleasing flavor.
Tips:
- Flavor Variations: You can switch up the cake mix flavor to create different versions of this dessert. Try using chocolate, lemon, or even spice cake mix for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
- Topping Mix-Ins: For added flavor, consider mixing in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or a swirl of caramel into the cream cheese topping before baking.
- Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to a week. These bars also freeze well—wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the topping.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 16-24 bars
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Sugar: 33g
- Sodium: 250mg
Conclusion
These Ooey Gooey Bars are a sweet, buttery, and rich treat that will quickly become a favorite for anyone who loves indulgent desserts. With a soft cake base and a creamy, tangy topping, they are incredibly easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for family gatherings, parties, or just because, these bars are sure to impress. So be sure to hold onto this recipe—you’ll want to make these again and again!
Ooey Gooey Bars: A Decadent and Easy Dessert
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Description
If you’re a fan of rich, sweet, and buttery desserts, then Ooey Gooey Bars are about to become your new favorite treat. With a soft, buttery cake crust and a creamy, tangy cream cheese topping, these bars are the perfect combination of texture and flavor. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they are also super easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re baking for a party, potluck, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these bars are sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
For the Topping:
- 1 pound powdered sugar (approximately 4 cups)
- 3 eggs
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Mix the Crust Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and the melted stick of butter. Stir until the ingredients are well incorporated and form a soft dough.
Press the Dough into the Pan:
Take the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Use your hands or the back of a spatula to spread it out into an even layer. Once pressed, set the pan aside while you prepare the topping.
Step 2: Prepare the Topping
Mix the Topping Ingredients:
In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 3 eggs. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to ensure the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese or powdered sugar remaining.
Spread the Topping Over the Crust:
Once the topping is smooth, pour it over the prepared crust. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly over the dough, making sure it reaches the edges of the pan.
Step 3: Bake the Bars
Bake in the Oven:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is set and golden brown around the edges. The center should still be slightly gooey, but the top should have a lightly crackled surface.
Cool the Bars:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This will help the topping set and make it easier to cut the bars into squares.
Step 4: Cut and Serve
After the bars have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles. Serve them as is, or dust with a little extra powdered sugar for presentation.
Notes
COOKING NOTE: For a firmer texture, you can refrigerate the bars for about 30 minutes before cutting them. If you prefer an even gooier center, bake for the shorter time (around 35 minutes), but if you like a more set bar, bake closer to 40 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
These Ooey Gooey Bars are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. They’re perfect for dessert, but they’re also great for bringing to parties, picnics, or bake sales due to their simple preparation and crowd-pleasing flavor.
Tips:
- Flavor Variations: You can switch up the cake mix flavor to create different versions of this dessert. Try using chocolate, lemon, or even spice cake mix for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
- Topping Mix-Ins: For added flavor, consider mixing in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or a swirl of caramel into the cream cheese topping before baking.
- Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to a week. These bars also freeze well—wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16-24 bars
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 33g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 4g