These decadent bars feature a buttery, yellow cake base topped with a sweet, creamy, and gooey layer. They’re incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 1 box (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- For the Gooey Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter.
- Mix until well combined. The mixture will be thick.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Make the Gooey Topping:
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup melted butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the 2 eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake mix crust.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set. The center should still be a bit gooey.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few drops of almond extract to the topping.
- You can also add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the topping before baking.
- Make sure your cream cheese is very soft, this will help create a smooth topping.
- Cooling the bars completely is important for clean cuts, and for the gooey topping to set properly.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.