If you crave a dessert that’s irresistibly soft, sweet, and downright delightful, then this Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Combining the rich tang of cream cheese with a buttery cake mix crust, these bars deliver a perfect balance of gooey center and tender crumb in every bite. They’re incredibly simple to make, yet taste like something you’d find at a charming bakery. Whether for a potluck, a casual get-together, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe promises joy and comfort all wrapped into one delicious bar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is the first step to this delicious Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe. Each component plays an essential role in building the perfect texture, richness, and sweetness that make these bars truly special.
- Yellow cake mix: Provides a sweet, buttery base with just enough structure to hold everything together.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture to the crust, creating that tender, crumbly texture.
- Cream cheese, softened: Brings the signature gooey tang and creamy texture to the filling.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling beautifully without overpowering the cream cheese flavor.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, giving the filling a smooth, fluffy consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, comforting aroma.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting): Adds a pretty, delicate finish and a touch of extra sweetness.
How to Make Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures a perfectly even bake from the moment your bars go in. Meanwhile, prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later on. This small prep step makes a world of difference in clean-up and presentation.
Step 2: Create the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix with the melted unsalted butter until you get a crumbly texture that stays together when pressed. This buttery mixture forms the crust, which should be pressed evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. This base is both tender and sturdy — the perfect foundation for your gooey layers.
Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
Next, grab a clean bowl for the filling. Beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. The resulting mixture should be velvety and luscious — this is what makes the gooey heart of your bars so unforgettable.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Pour the silky cream cheese filling over your cake mix crust, spreading it evenly to cover every crumb. Pop your pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are lightly golden and the filling is set but still soft in the middle — pure perfection!
Step 5: Cool and Finish
Once the baking is complete, allow the bars to cool fully in the pan to let the gooey center set up just right. For a touch of cute and extra sweetness, dust with powdered sugar before slicing into generous squares. These bars are now ready to steal the show!
How to Serve Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of powdered sugar is a classic way to dress up these bars, offering a delicate visual cue to their sweetness. For a creative touch, try adding fresh berries on top or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce to take them to the next level of indulgence.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to enhance the creamy texture even more. If you’re serving at brunch, a fresh fruit salad or cup of hot coffee makes an ideal accompaniment, balancing richness with brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, consider serving these bars stacked on a pretty cake stand or cut into bite-sized squares for easy nibbling. You could also layer them in dessert jars with whipped cream and berries, turning this Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe into a show-stopping individual treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate if you prefer them chilled. This keeps the creamy center fresh and prevents the crust from getting soggy.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual pieces or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
If you like your bars warm and gooey, reheat them gently in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or in a low oven for about 10 minutes. This warms up the cream cheese filling perfectly without drying out the crust.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix in this Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic and balances the flavors beautifully, you can experiment with white or even spice cake mixes for a unique twist. Just keep in mind the flavor profile to avoid overpowering the creamy filling.
Do I need to use room temperature cream cheese?
Yes, softening the cream cheese before mixing ensures it blends smoothly without lumps, giving you that signature gooey, silky texture in the filling.
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
While you can use margarine or oil, unsalted butter adds superior richness and flavor to the crust. Substitutions may affect texture and taste slightly, but the bars will still be delicious.
Is it necessary to dust with powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch and a subtle sweetness. You can skip this step or swap it for a drizzle of glaze or chocolate if preferred.
How long should I bake the bars to ensure gooeyness?
Baking for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is set but still a bit soft ensures a perfectly gooey center. Overbaking will dry out the filling, so keep an eye on them toward the end.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe enough—it’s straightforward, quick, and absolutely heavenly. Once you taste that creamy filling contrasted with the buttery crust, I promise this will become a staple in your dessert rotation. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or just treating yourself, these bars are pure comfort in every bite. Go ahead, bake a batch today and spread some serious joy!
Print
Gooey Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gooey Butter Cream Cheese Cake Mix Bars are a decadent and easy-to-make dessert combining a buttery cake mix crust with a rich, creamy cream cheese filling. Perfectly gooey and sweet, they bake up golden and are an irresistible treat for gatherings or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping (Optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the bars.
- Make the crust. In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix with the melted unsalted butter. Stir together until the mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed. Evenly press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a firm crust layer.
- Prepare the filling. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
- Assemble and bake. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake mix crust in the pan. Spread it out gently to cover the entire surface. Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is set, slightly golden, and no longer jiggly in the center.
- Cool and serve. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to room temperature. Once cooled, optionally dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing into squares. Serve and enjoy your rich, gooey dessert bars.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Do not overbake; the center should be set but still gooey for the best texture.
- If desired, line the pan with parchment paper overhang for easy removal.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a flavor variation, add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the filling.
