Southern Gooey Butter Cake Bars

Southern Gooey Butter Cake Bars

Introduction:
These Southern Gooey Butter Cake Bars are rich, decadent, and irresistibly soft with a perfectly chewy top and buttery base. Originating from St. Louis, this classic treat combines the magic of cake mix with a luscious cream cheese filling, resulting in a layered dessert that’s as easy to make as it is hard to forget. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a holiday gathering, or just a weekday indulgence, these golden bars will steal the show.

Ingredients:

For the base layer:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)

• 1 large egg

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• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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• 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:
   Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Prepare the base layer:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, egg, and melted butter. Mix until a thick dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish using your hands or a spatula.

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3. Make the filling:
   In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat again until fully incorporated. Gradually add in the powdered sugar while mixing, then pour in the melted butter. Mix until smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the bars:
   Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base in the pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula.

5. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes. The center should be slightly gooey while the top turns golden brown with a delicate crackly finish.

6. Cool and slice:
   Let the bars cool completely in the pan. For best results, chill before slicing into squares.

Conclusion:
These Gooey Butter Cake Bars are a dreamy dessert with a rich, buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re delightfully sweet without being overpowering, making them the perfect finish to any meal—or a sneaky snack anytime the craving hits. Keep a few pieces stashed for yourself… because they disappear fast! 🍰💛

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