Ooey Gooey Bars – The Melt-in-Your-Mouth Dessert You’ll Make Again and Again

How to Make Ooey Gooey Bars (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan (or line it with parchment for easy cleanup).

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine:

1 box yellow cake mix
8 tbsp melted butter
1 egg

Mix until smooth and press evenly into your baking pan. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the Gooey Topping

In a large bowl:

Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy
Add in 2 eggs and beat until smooth
Slowly mix in powdered sugar until well combined

Pour this mixture over the crust and spread evenly.

Step 4: Bake

Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
The center should still jiggle slightly, but don’t overbake!
Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

What to Serve With These Bars

A cold glass of milk or hot cup of coffee
A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce
Fresh berries on the side
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for true indulgence

Tips for Perfect Ooey Gooey Bars

Let them cool fully – They set up as they cool. Warm bars may fall apart!
Don’t overbake! – The gooey texture is key. Look for set edges and a slightly soft center.
Use room temp cream cheese – It mixes smoother and faster.
Double the recipe – For parties, these go FAST!

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Fridge: Keeps well up to a week—just bring to room temp before serving.
Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.

FAQs

Q: Can I use homemade cake mix instead of boxed?

Yes! Use about 2 ¼ cups of homemade yellow cake mix as a substitute.

Q: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

You can, but the texture won’t be quite as rich. Full-fat is best for gooeyness.

Q: Can I make these in advance?

Absolutely—these are even better the next day once they’ve fully set.

Q: Can I frost them?

Honestly, they don’t need it! But a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of glaze won’t hurt.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving something simple, nostalgic, and unbelievably delicious, these Ooey Gooey Bars are calling your name. They’re the kind of dessert that brings people together—something you bake once and find yourself making over and over because everyone keeps asking for the recipe.

Seriously, you need these in your life. ❤️