Description
Gooey Butter Cake Bars are a luscious dessert featuring a buttery yellow cake crust topped with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese layer. Baked to perfection, these bars have a slightly gooey center that makes them irresistible and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the bars won’t stick.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the yellow cake mix and melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a firm crust.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
- Add Remaining Sugar: Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating continuously until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan, creating an even layer.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. Bake until the edges are golden and set, while the center remains slightly gooey for that signature texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares and serving.
Notes
- For best results, use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not overbake; the center should stay a bit gooey for the perfect texture.
- These bars can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- You can dust with additional powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness and presentation.
