Name: Ooey Gooey Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 large eggs; 3 ½ cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Imagine golden, buttery layers with a cloud-like, creamy center that practically melts on your tongue—that’s the magic of Ooey Gooey Bars. This easy, decadent dessert brings together a soft yellow cake base and a rich, sweet cream cheese topping, making every bite a symphony of textures. Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or just in need of a sweet pick-me-up, these crowd-pleasing bars are guaranteed to disappear fast. If you love desserts that are simple to whip up yet absolutely unforgettable, you’ll adore Ooey Gooey Bars.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Ooey Gooey Bars works together perfectly to create that signature texture and lush flavor. You don’t need anything fancy; just classic pantry staples that somehow create pure magic in the oven. Here’s what you’ll need—and why it matters:

Yellow Cake Mix: The shortcut foundation that brings sweetness and structure, giving the bars their bottom layer’s subtle flavor and soft crumb.
Unsalted Butter (melted): Adds richness and a tender texture, helping the base come together smoothly.
Large Eggs (divided): Key for binding the layers and adding moisture; using some in the base and others in the filling keeps things perfectly rich.
Cream Cheese (softened): The star of the topping—its tangy creaminess creates that signature gooey layer everyone loves.
Powdered Sugar: Brings just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tang of the cream cheese and smooths out the filling.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses the bars with warm, inviting aroma and taste that melds everything together.

How to Make Ooey Gooey Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s warm and ready to go. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—this helps the bars lift out easily and keeps the layers perfectly distinct when slicing.

Step 2: Create the Cake Layer

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Stir until everything’s blended into a thick, soft dough. Once it looks uniform, press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, making sure to get it all the way into the corners for a consistent base.

Step 3: Make the Ooey Gooey Filling

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s completely smooth—no lumps allowed! Add the two remaining eggs, the powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, then mix until the filling is creamy and glossy. This layer is what makes Ooey Gooey Bars irresistible.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the cream cheese mixture gently over your cake base, spreading it to the edges with a spatula so every bite gets that gooey goodness. Pop the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll want the edges to turn a lovely golden color, but the center should still have a slight jiggle—this is how you know it’s going to have that perfect, custardy texture.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This step is key—the filling will finish setting as it cools, making it much easier to slice clean, neat bars that hold together yet stay melt-in-your-mouth soft.

How to Serve Ooey Gooey Bars

Garnishes

Serving Ooey Gooey Bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar is classic and oh-so-pretty. For a playful twist, try scattering a few chocolate chips or a drizzle of caramel over the top just before serving—it’s a quick way to take them over the top!

Side Dishes

These bars are rich and sweet, so they pair beautifully with a cup of strong coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a party platter, serve them alongside fresh berries or a tangy fruit salad for a little balance and color on the dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Ooey Gooey Bars can be cut into large, generous squares for potlucks, or sliced into small bite-size pieces for a finger-food dessert spread. You can even serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top treat that’ll have everyone swooning.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Ooey Gooey Bars (which is rare!), just cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the bars to an airtight container. They’ll keep fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Freezing

Ooey Gooey Bars freeze beautifully! Place slices in a single layer on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper. They’ll last up to three months—perfect for make-ahead treats.

Reheating

To enjoy that just-baked ooey-gooey texture, pop individual bars in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds after thawing from the fridge or freezer. This little bit of warmth melts the filling ever-so-slightly for maximum goo factor.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While classic yellow cake mix is traditional for Ooey Gooey Bars, you can experiment with white, lemon, or even chocolate cake mixes to give the bars a new spin. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change, so pick your favorite!

Why does the center look underdone when I take the bars out?

The center should be slightly jiggly when you remove Ooey Gooey Bars from the oven—that’s what gives the bars their luscious, creamy texture. They’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake.

Do I need to use full-fat cream cheese?

Full-fat cream cheese provides the richest, smoothest filling, but you can absolutely substitute reduced-fat cream cheese if you’re looking for a slightly lighter treat. Just avoid fat-free versions, as they may change the texture.

Can I add mix-ins to the recipe?

You sure can! Stir in chocolate chips, swirl in fruit preserves, or sprinkle nuts into the filling for a fun twist on classic Ooey Gooey Bars. Don’t be afraid to get creative—your kitchen, your rules.

Are Ooey Gooey Bars gluten-free?

As written, this recipe uses a traditional cake mix, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute a gluten-free yellow cake mix to make a version safe for gluten-sensitive friends. Just double-check the labels on all ingredients.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something about Ooey Gooey Bars that makes them impossible to resist, and once you see how easy they are to make, you’ll want to bake them for every occasion. Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and treat yourself to this classic, dreamy dessert—you deserve it!

Ooey Gooey Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these decadent Ooey Gooey Bars, featuring a buttery cake layer topped with a creamy, sweet cream cheese mixture. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Layer:

1 box yellow cake mix
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

Cream Cheese Topping:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare Cake Layer: In a medium bowl, mix yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg to form a soft dough. Press into the baking dish.
Make Cream Cheese Topping: In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
Assemble and Bake: Pour cream cheese mixture over the cake layer, spreading evenly. Bake for 40–45 minutes until edges are golden and center is slightly jiggly.
Cool and Serve: Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.