Ooey Gooey Bars recipe

Ooey Gooey Bars Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 40-45 mins | Servings: 12-16 bars

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Gooey Filling:

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4 cups powdered sugar (about 1 lb)

• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 cup chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips

• ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

• ½ cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the crust:

   • In a bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined.

   • Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Make the gooey filling:

   • In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.

   • Add the eggs, vanilla, melted butter, and powdered sugar. Mix until creamy and well combined.

   • (Optional) Stir in chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut if desired.

4. Assemble & bake:

   • Pour the filling over the crust and spread evenly.

   • Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still slightly jiggly.

   • Let cool completely (at least 1 hour) before cutting into squares.

5. Serve & enjoy!

   • Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.

These bars are super rich, so cut them into small squares. They store well in the fridge for up to 5 days (if they last that long!).

Would you like any variations, like a chocolate or pumpkin version? 😊