🍰 Ooey Gooey Bars

Soft, rich, buttery, and irresistibly gooey — these Ooey Gooey Bars are a classic dessert
that’s incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for parties, holidays,
or whenever you’re craving something sweet and indulgent!

Ingredients

For the Base

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Gooey Topping

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Base:
   In a bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until thick dough forms.
   Press evenly into the bottom of prepared pan.
3. Make the Gooey Topping:
   Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
   Stir in melted butter. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble:
   Pour cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
5. Bake:
   Bake 40–45 minutes. The center should remain slightly gooey — do not overbake.
6. Cool & Serve:
   Cool completely before cutting into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Tips for Perfect Ooey Gooey Bars

• Do not overbake — the center should jiggle slightly when removed from the oven.
• Allow bars to cool fully to set properly.
• Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Optional Variations

• Chocolate: Use chocolate cake mix.
• Lemon: Use lemon cake mix and add lemon zest.
• Pumpkin: Add 1 cup pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice to topping.