Introduction

Ooey Gooey Bars are a delightful, sweet treat that’s wonderfully rich and creamy. With a moist cake-like base and a luscious cream cheese filling, these bars are perfect for any dessert table or casual gathering.

The image shows four square pieces of lemon bars on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each bar has three visible layers: a crumbly light brown base, a thick middle layer of smooth pale yellow lemon filling, and a top layer with a golden brown, slightly cracked crust dusted with fine sugar crystals. The texture of the crust looks crisp, while the filling appears soft and creamy. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix (dry, not prepared)
2 sticks butter (melted)
1 egg
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 eggs (beaten)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until well blended to form the base dough.
Step 3: Press half of the dough mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to create the bottom layer.
Step 4: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the 2 beaten eggs and powdered sugar, then mix until the filling is creamy and fully combined.
Step 5: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the base layer in the pan.
Step 6: Crumble the remaining dough over the cream cheese layer, covering as much as possible.
Step 7: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the filling is set but still moist.
Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

For a twist, add a cup of mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese filling for extra texture and flavor.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
Swap the yellow cake mix for white cake mix to create a different flavor base.

Storage

Store Ooey Gooey Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cut bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a warm treat.

How to Serve

The image shows four square pieces of a dessert with three visible layers on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a rough, crumbly light brown crust. The middle layer is thick, smooth, and creamy pale yellow, while the top layer is a thin, golden-brown baked custard with a slightly uneven surface and some sugar crystals scattered on top. The pieces are close together, and some crumbs are scattered around them on the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar is preferred because it blends smoothly into the cream cheese filling, giving it a silky texture. Using regular granulated sugar may result in a grainy filling.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, Ooey Gooey Bars can be made a day or two in advance. Keep them refrigerated and bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for the best texture.

Ooey Gooey Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 70 reviews

These Ooey Gooey Bars are a delightful, rich dessert featuring a buttery yellow cake crust layered with a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling. Perfect for potlucks or a comforting treat, these bars are easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious with their soft, gooey texture and sweet powdered sugar drizzle.

Author: Zane
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

1 box yellow cake mix (dry, not prepared)
2 sticks butter (melted)
1 egg

For the Filling:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 eggs (beaten)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the dry yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir until the mixture forms a thick dough. Press half of this dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust layer.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, beaten eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps for a silky filling.
Assemble the Bars: Pour and spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the crust layer in the baking pan. Then, crumble the remaining half of the dough over the cream cheese layer, distributing it evenly to create a topside crumb layer.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled bars for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set but still soft in the center.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. For extra indulgence, dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother filling.
Do not overbake to maintain the gooey texture inside.
These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent filling from oozing out.

Keywords: ooey gooey bars, cream cheese bars, buttery cake bars, easy dessert, yellow cake mix dessert, gooey dessert bars