Welcome to the sweet, sweet world of Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars! These beauties are a dream come true, combining the richness of butter with the silky smoothness of cream cheese, creating a dessert that’s nothing short of heavenly!
Originating from our beloved culinary heartlands, they’re a must-try for all dessert lovers out there!
We’re embracing the simplicity and deliciousness of a boxed cake mix for our crust! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s oh-so-tasty!
And to make things even more scrumptious, we’re adding a lavish layer of butter-flavored cream cheese on top! It’s a match made in flavor heaven, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Whether you’re in the mood for something ooey-gooey or you’re just on the hunt for a quick and delightful treat, these Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars are your ticket to a sweet escape!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Yellow Cake Mix. This is the starting line for our bars, laying down a soft, buttery base that’s a breeze to whip up and packed with flavor.
Unsalted Butter. It’s like the golden key, melding the crust with rich, savory notes, and the softened buddy up top? Oh, it’s bringing the creamy dream.
Eggs & Egg Yolk. These are the building blocks, making sure our dessert stands tall and stays moist. And that extra yolk? It’s the secret to extra richness.
Cream Cheese. It’s the smooth operator in this sweet symphony, dialing back the sweetness with its tangy tunes and velvety vibes.
Pure Vanilla Extract. Just a whisper of this, and our bars are wrapped in a warm, aromatic hug, making every bite a cozy delight.
Confectioners’ Sugar. It’s the sweet whisper in the cream cheese layer, smoothing things out and adding that winter wonderland touch on top.
Nutmeg (optional). A sprinkle of this, and you’re in for a warm, spicy surprise, making those bars a bite of irresistible goodness.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Yellow Cake Mix | Serves as the flavorful, buttery base for the bars. |
| Unsalted Butter | Adds rich, savory notes to the crust and contributes to the creamy texture of the topping. |
| Eggs & Egg Yolk | Act as building blocks, providing structure and moisture, with the extra yolk adding richness. |
| Cream Cheese | Offers a smooth, tangy counterbalance to the sweetness, adding a velvety texture. |
| Pure Vanilla Extract | Infuses the bars with a warm, aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste. |
| Confectioners’ Sugar | Sweetens and smoothens the cream cheese layer and adds a decorative touch when dusted on top. |
| Nutmeg (optional) | Adds a warm, spicy note to the bars, enhancing their flavor profile. |
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars – No Fail Steps!
Preparation. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang for easy removal.
Crust Formation. In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared dish.
Creamy Topping. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Add in the remaining egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Layering. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Baking. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The edges should turn a golden brown, and the center should remain slightly jiggly.
Cooling & Serving. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. For best results, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars. Before serving, dust with additional confectioners’ sugar for a sweet finish.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal. |
| Crust Formation | Mix yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg to form a soft dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the dish. |
| Creamy Topping | Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth. |
| Layering | Pour and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust. |
| Baking | Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until edges are golden brown and the center is slightly jiggly. |
| Cooling & Serving | Cool to room temperature, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, cut into bars, and dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving. |
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 15.25-ounce box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup unsalted butter divided (½ cup melted, ½ cup softened)
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar plus extra for dusting
- A pinch of nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared dish.
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Add in the remaining egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The edges should turn a golden brown, and the center should remain slightly jiggly.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. For best results, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars. Before serving, dust with additional confectioners’ sugar for a sweet finish.
Nutrition
Hi! I’m Natalie, a writer and a dessert connoisseur. I’ve been baking since I could reach the kitchen counter and I’ve never looked back. I love creating new recipes and putting a healthy twist on classic desserts. I believe that a balanced life includes a little bit of sweetness. When I’m not writing or in the kitchen, I’m probably out running or enjoying a good cup of coffee at my favorite local café.
