Chewy Gooey Bars
Soft, rich, buttery, and irresistibly gooey — these Chewy Gooey Bars are the perfect dessert for parties, holidays, or when you just want something sweet and indulgent. They have a tender cake-like base and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth topping.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Gooey Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Make the Base
In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and egg.
Mix until a thick dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Prepare the Gooey Layer
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and melted butter.
Beat until smooth and creamy.
Assemble
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base and spread evenly with a spatula.
Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes.
The center should still be slightly gooey — do not overbake!
Cool & Serve
Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Tips
- For a chocolate version, use chocolate cake mix.
- Add chopped pecans or chocolate chips for extra texture.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.