Description
Ooey Gooey Butter Bars are a luscious dessert featuring a dense, buttery cake crust topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese filling dusted with powdered sugar. This indulgent treat perfectly balances a slightly crisp edge with a gooey center, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1 large egg
For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one large egg. Stir until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the crust layer.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add two large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until thoroughly combined. Slowly pour in the melted butter while continuing to mix. Finally, beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is creamy, thick, and well blended.
- Assemble: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan, spreading it out smoothly with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The edges will be golden and set, but ensure the center remains slightly gooey for that perfect ooey gooey texture. Avoid overbaking to maintain the desired consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Optionally, dust with extra powdered sugar before serving to add a touch of sweetness and presentation flair.
Notes
- Do not overbake to keep the center gooey.
- Using softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth filling.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal of bars.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated up to a week.
- For added flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ooey Gooey Butter Bars, butter bars, cream cheese bars, easy dessert, cake mix dessert, creamy bars, buttery dessert
