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Gooey Butter Cake Bars

Gooey Butter Cake Bars
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Gooey Butter Cake Bars are a rich, buttery, and delightfully gooey dessert featuring a tender yellow cake base topped with a luscious cream cheese layer. Perfectly moist and sweet, these bars combine simple pantry ingredients into a comforting treat ideal for dessert tables, potlucks, or a cozy snack. Their creamy texture and signature gooey center make them an irresistible classic dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (use gluten-free cake mix for gluten-free version)
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

Gooey Topping

  • 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Mix well until you have a uniform, crumbly dough. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the sturdy cake base.
  2. Make the Gooey Topping: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, one egg, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, creating the signature gooey topping.
  3. Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pressed cake base, spreading carefully to cover the entire surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly soft and gooey.
  4. Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan so the gooey layer firms up slightly. Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles. Serve bars slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to achieve a smooth, creamy topping.
  • Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly soft for the perfect gooey texture.
  • Grease the baking pan well or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Mix the cream cheese topping gently to avoid air bubbles and ensure a smooth finish.
  • Chill bars completely before cutting for clean, neat slices without the gooey layer collapsing.

Nutrition

Keywords: gooey butter cake, cake bars, cream cheese dessert, easy dessert, party dessert, gluten free dessert option

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/gooey-butter-cake-bars/