Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars

Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars, a delectable dessert that combines the irresistible richness of cream cheese with the comforting sweetness of a classic yellow cake crust. These bars are an indulgent treat, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests at any gathering.

With a velvety smooth texture and a gooey center, each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Easy to make with simple ingredients, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Whether enjoyed slightly warm or cooled to perfection, Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars are bound to delight with every delicious bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Irresistible Creaminess: The combination of cream cheese, eggs, and powdered sugar creates a lusciously smooth and creamy filling that melts in your mouth with every bite.

Perfect Balance of Sweetness: The sweetness from the yellow cake mix and powdered sugar is perfectly balanced by the tanginess of the cream cheese, resulting in a flavor profile that’s not overly sugary but still satisfyingly sweet.

Indulgent Texture: With a crumbly yet buttery crust and a gooey, almost custard-like filling, these bars offer a delightful contrast in textures that keeps you coming back for more.

Ease of Preparation: Using a cake mix for the crust simplifies the baking process, making these bars accessible to both novice and experienced bakers alike. Plus, the straightforward instructions make them a hassle-free dessert option.

Versatility: These bars can be enjoyed warm or cooled, catering to individual preferences. Whether served as a comforting dessert on a chilly evening or as a delightful treat at a summer gathering, they’re versatile enough for any occasion.

Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: With their decadent flavor and eye-catching appearance, Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars are sure to be a hit at parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. They’re the kind of dessert that everyone will be asking for seconds (and thirds) of.

What You Need To Make Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars

A box of yellow cake mix, such as Pillsbury (18.25 oz): forms the base of the crust, providing a sweet and buttery foundation.”

A stick of butter: at room temperature, binds the cake mix together, adding richness and flavor to the crust.”

One egg: helps to bind the crust ingredients together, contributing to its structure and texture.

A package of cream cheese (8 oz): at room temperature, creates the velvety, creamy filling that is the star of these bars.

A box of powdered sugar (approximately 16 oz): sweetens the filling and helps to create its gooey texture, with a portion reserved for sprinkling over the finished bars.

A teaspoon of vanilla extract: enhances the flavor of the filling, adding depth and warmth.

Two eggs: are incorporated into the filling mixture, helping to bind the ingredients together and contribute to its rich, custard-like texture.

How to make Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 box yellow cake mix, I use Pillsbury (18.25 oz)

1 stick of butter, at room temperature

1 egg

For the Gooey Filling:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 box (approximately 16 oz) powdered sugar, reserve ¼ cup for topping

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Make the Crust: In a large bowl, mix together the yellow cake mix, softened butter, and 1 egg until it forms a crumbly mixture. Press this into the bottom of your prepared pan, covering the bottom and slightly up the sides.

Prepare the Filling: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs and the vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually add in the powdered sugar (leave out ¼ cup for later), beating until creamy.

Assemble & Bake: Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.

Cool & Finish: Let the bars cool in the pan. They will puff up initially but settle as they cool. After about 10 minutes of cooling, sprinkle the reserved ¼ cup of powdered sugar over the top. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Enjoy your Velvety Cream Cheese Gooey Bars slightly warm or cooled, according to your preference!

Notes:

Preparation: Ensure all ingredients, especially the cream cheese and butter, are at room temperature for smooth mixing and optimal texture.

Pan Preparation: Properly greasing the baking dish with non-stick cooking spray ensures easy removal of the bars after baking and prevents sticking.

Crust Consistency: When mixing the crust ingredients, aim for a crumbly texture that holds together when pressed into the pan. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan for an even crust.

Cream Cheese Filling: Be sure to beat the cream cheese until completely smooth to avoid any lumps in the filling. Gradually adding the powdered sugar while beating helps achieve a creamy consistency.

Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bars towards the end of the baking time. They should be golden brown on top and the filling should be set, but still slightly jiggly in the center.

Cooling Process: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before sprinkling with powdered sugar. This allows them to settle and ensures easier cutting into bars later on.

Serving Options: Enjoy the bars either slightly warm or cooled to room temperature, depending on personal preference. They can be served as-is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days. They can also be frozen for longer storage, just be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 24 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake mix for the crust?

Yes, you can use any brand of yellow cake mix you prefer, but the quantity may vary slightly from the specified 18.25 oz.

Can I substitute margarine for butter in the crust?

Yes, you can substitute margarine for butter, but the flavor and texture may differ slightly.

How long do these bars need to cool before cutting?

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before sprinkling with powdered sugar.

Then, let them cool completely before cutting into bars, which usually takes about an hour.

Can I freeze these bars for later?

Yes, you can freeze these bars for up to 2-3 months.

Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Can I reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the filling?

While you can adjust the sweetness to your preference, reducing the powdered sugar may affect the texture and consistency of the filling.

What should I do if the top of the bars start to brown too quickly?

If the top of the bars begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time to prevent over-browning.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to these bars?

Yes, you can customize these bars by adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to either the crust or the filling for added texture and flavor.

How should I store leftover bars?

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days to maintain freshness.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

While you can use low-fat cream cheese, keep in mind that it may affect the texture and richness of the bars compared to using full-fat cream cheese.

Can I use a different size baking dish for this recipe?

It’s best to use a 9×13-inch baking dish as specified in the recipe to ensure the proper thickness and baking time for the bars.

Using a different size dish may result in uneven baking.