Description
Gooey Butter Cake Bars are dense, buttery bars with a sweet, creamy, and gooey topping — a beloved treat from St. Louis.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, combine the cake mix and melted butter until crumbly.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- In a separate large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add eggs, 2 cups powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese; beat until creamy.
- Gradually add remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, beating until well combined and smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the edges are set and golden but the center remains slightly gooey.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Do not overbake to maintain the gooey texture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing.
- Dust bars with extra powdered sugar before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg