Description
Rich, sweet, and ultra-gooey dessert bars made with yellow cake mix, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. These butter bars are a Southern-inspired treat that’s quick to prepare and perfect for potlucks or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- Gooey Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a thick dough forms.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in the remaining 2 eggs and vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until fully combined and creamy.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center is still slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars. Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overbake—bars should be slightly underdone in the center for that signature gooey texture.
- Try using chocolate or spice cake mix for fun flavor variations.
- Refrigerate leftovers for firmer bars and easier slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: gooey butter bars, cream cheese bars, cake mix bars, southern dessert, easy butter bars