Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert! These Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars are an absolute dream come true for anyone who loves a sweet, rich, and incredibly easy-to-make treat. With a golden, tender crust made from a simple cake mix and a luscious, creamy, "gooey" cream cheese topping, they truly live up to their name.
Perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe requires minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. You'll be amazed at how quickly these bars disappear!
Why You'll Love These Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars
- Effortless Preparation: Using a cake mix as the base significantly cuts down on prep time and complexity.
- Irresistible Texture: The combination of a soft, slightly chewy crust and a melt-in-your-mouth creamy topping is pure heaven.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bars are universally loved and disappear quickly at any gathering.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable with different cake mix flavors or added mix-ins.
Essential Tips for the Best Gooey Bars
Softening Cream Cheese
For the smoothest, lump-free cream cheese topping, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This allows it to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients, creating that wonderfully creamy texture without any unmixed bits.
Don't Overbake!
The key to "gooey" bars is not to overbake them. The topping should be set around the edges and lightly golden, but the center might still have a slight jiggle. It will continue to set as it cools, so resist the urge to leave them in the oven longer than specified. Cooling completely is crucial for the perfect texture.
These Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars are more than just a dessert; they're a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly extraordinary. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles.
So, gather your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of pure happiness. Enjoy every sweet, gooey bite!
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor cake mix for these bars?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic, you can experiment with chocolate, vanilla, lemon, or even strawberry cake mixes to create different flavor profiles. The possibilities are endless!
How should I store Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars?
These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, or if your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best gooey texture.
Why are my gooey bars not setting properly?
The most common reason for gooey bars not setting is insufficient baking time or not allowing them to cool completely. Ensure you bake them until the edges are golden and the center is mostly set, then let them cool fully at room temperature for at least 2-3 hours (or longer) before slicing. They firm up significantly as they cool.
Can I make these Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert! You can prepare them a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and they'll be ready to enjoy when you are.
Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars are incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients, resulting in a rich, sweet, and irresistible dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 yellow cake mix
1 large egg (for crust)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1 lb powdered sugar
3 large eggs (for topping)
1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 large egg, and the melted butter. Mix with a spoon or electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is crumbly but well combined.
Step 3: Press the cake mix mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared 13x9-inch cake pan, forming the crust. Set the pan aside.
Step 4: In a separate medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 3 large eggs, and the softened cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
Step 5: Carefully spread the smooth cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake mix crust in the pan.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is set, lightly golden around the edges, and just slightly jiggly in the center. Do not overbake.
Step 7: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing them into individual bars. Cooling completely is crucial for the gooey texture to set properly.
Notes
For an extra touch, dust with a little extra powdered sugar before serving. These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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