Last weekend, we had a small neighborhood potluck—the kind where kids dart between picnic tables, and everyone brings something that feels like home. I wanted to bake a dessert that would disappear from the tray in minutes, but I didn’t want to spend hours fussing in the kitchen.
That morning, I stood in my kitchen flipping through handwritten recipe cards, and my eyes landed on a smudged, butter-stained one labeled “Gooey Bars.” That was it.
I remembered making them years ago for a bake sale at my kids’ elementary school. Parents kept circling back to the dessert table, asking for “the buttery ones in the yellow wrapper.” Back then, I didn’t think much of it—I just liked how easy they were to make. But now? They’ve become a favorite.
I baked a fresh batch for the potluck, and sure enough, they vanished before the grilled chicken came off the barbecue. A neighbor even asked me to send the recipe, so here it is—my tried-and-true Gooey Butter Cake Bars. They’re comforting, nostalgic, and dangerously easy to love.
Short Description
Gooey Butter Cake Bars are rich, buttery dessert bars made with yellow cake mix and a sweet, creamy topping of cream cheese and powdered sugar. These easy-to-bake treats are crowd-pleasers that melt in your mouth with every bite.
Key Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
For the Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowls (at least two)
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Nonstick spray or butter for greasing
- Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, making sure to coat the corners.
Step 2: Make the Base
In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Stir until it becomes a soft, thick dough. It’ll look a little like cookie dough.
Step 3: Press the Base into the Pan
Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom using your hands or the back of a spoon. It’s okay if it sticks a little—just keep smoothing it out.
Step 4: Beat the Cream Cheese
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Add Eggs and Powdered Sugar
Add the 2 eggs to the cream cheese and continue mixing until fully incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing well between additions. The mixture should be silky and glossy.
Step 6: Pour and Spread
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base and use a spatula to spread it evenly to the edges.
Step 7: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and just beginning to crack around the edges, but still slightly jiggly in the center—don’t overbake!
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once set, slice into squares or rectangles. Serve as-is or with a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich & Buttery: Each bite melts in your mouth with that signature gooey texture and deep buttery flavor.
Effortless to Make: No complicated steps—just basic mixing and baking.
Party Favorite: They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy family nights.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the flavors with extracts, toppings, or crust swaps.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars taste even better the next day after chilling in the fridge.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overbaking: This is the #1 mistake. If the top gets too brown or the filling sets too firm, the gooey magic disappears. Solution: Pull it out when the center is still a little wobbly—it’ll firm up as it cools.
Using Cold Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese doesn’t mix well. Solution: Let it sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes before beating.
Skipping Greasing the Pan: These bars are sticky! Solution: Always grease the pan thoroughly or use parchment paper for clean slices.
Lumpy Topping: If powdered sugar clumps in the cream cheese layer, it won’t bake evenly. Solution: Sift the sugar if it looks clumpy before mixing.
Pressing the Base Too Thin in Spots: This can lead to uneven bars. Solution: Take your time pressing the base evenly—don’t rush that step.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Dust the tops with a little powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Great with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.
Serve family-style in the pan or plated individually with a dollop of whipped cream.
Add fresh fruit on the side (strawberries and raspberries go especially well).
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days for best texture.
Freezing:
Freeze individual bars wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a zip-top bag. Lasts up to 2 months.
Reheating:
Let refrigerated bars come to room temp, or warm briefly (10–15 seconds) in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
1. How do I know when the bars are done?
Look for a light golden top with slight cracking and a soft jiggle in the center. Don’t wait for it to firm up fully in the oven.
2. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! Try chocolate, lemon, or spice cake mix for a twist on the classic flavor.
3. Is it okay to reduce the sugar in the topping?
Reducing sugar may alter the gooey texture, but you can cut it by about ½ cup if you prefer less sweetness.
4. Can I make these ahead for a party?
Absolutely. Bake them the night before, let them cool completely, and refrigerate overnight.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use two 9×13 pans rather than one large pan to ensure even baking.
Tips & Tricks
Use a plastic knife to cut clean squares without sticking.
Add 1 tsp vanilla extract to the topping for extra depth.
Sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking for crunch.
Let the bars cool for at least 1 hour before slicing—trust me.
If serving for a holiday, use festive sprinkles or edible glitter before baking.
Recipe Variations
Chocolate Chip Gooey Bars: Fold ½ cup mini chocolate chips into the cream cheese layer before baking.
Lemon Gooey Bars: Use lemon cake mix and add 1 tsp lemon zest to the topping. Top with powdered sugar after cooling.
Pumpkin Spice Bars: Swap in spice cake mix, and blend in ½ cup canned pumpkin into the cream cheese topping.
Nutty Crunch Bars: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crust layer for extra texture.
Birthday Cake Bars: Use confetti cake mix and stir in rainbow sprinkles for a party-ready dessert.
Final Thoughts
Making Gooey Butter Cake Bars is the process, the smells wafting from the oven, and the smiles when someone takes their first bite. These bars may look humble, but they pack a buttery punch that never fails to impress.
I like how they walk that perfect line between casual and decadent, sweet without being over the top. They’re the kind of treat you can bring to a friend’s house and feel like you’ve shared a little piece of your kitchen. They’re familiar, nostalgic, and satisfying in the best kind of way.
Gooey Butter Cake Bars
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg
For the Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan, including the corners.
- Mix cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg in a bowl until it forms a soft dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using your hands or a spoon.
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix in 2 eggs, then gradually add powdered sugar, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the base and spread to the edges.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and slightly cracked on top but still a bit jiggly in the center.
- Cool completely in the pan, then cut into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
