Ooey Gooey Bars (Print version)

Buttery Ooey Gooey Bars with a soft cake mix crust, creamy filling, crackly top, and clean slices after cooling.

# Ingredients:

For the crust

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz or 432 g) yellow cake mix
02 - 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
03 - 1 large egg

For the gooey filling

04 - 8 oz (226 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
08 - 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, plus more for dusting

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
02 - Stir the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg in a medium bowl until a thick dough forms. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Scrape the bowl so the filling blends evenly.
04 - Beat in 2 eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add the powdered sugar in 2 additions and mix on low at first, then medium, until creamy and smooth.
05 - Spread the filling evenly over the crust. Bake for 38-42 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center still has a gentle wobble.
06 - Cool completely in the pan. Lift out with parchment, dust with powdered sugar, and cut into 24 bars with a sharp knife wiped between cuts.

# Good to know:

01 - Cooling time is important and is not included in the cook time.
02 - For cleaner slices, chill the cooled bars for 30 minutes before cutting.
03 - Best served at room temperature or slightly chilled.

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