🍰 Ooey Gooey Bars – The Classic Dessert Everyone Falls in Love With
If you’ve never had Ooey Gooey Bars, prepare to meet your new favorite dessert! These bars are the ultimate combination of a buttery cake crust and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth topping. Every bite is rich, sweet, and utterly irresistible — just like grandma used to make.
They’re sometimes called Gooey Butter Bars, and for good reason: soft, moist, and decadently gooey in the center, with perfectly crisp edges. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to whip them together. No fancy equipment, no long prep — just pure dessert magic in under an hour.
💛 Why You’ll Love These Ooey Gooey Bars
- Only 6 ingredients – You probably have them all in your pantry right now.
- Easy to make – Just mix, layer, and bake.
- Perfect texture – A chewy crust with a creamy, custard-like top.
- Crowd-pleaser – Everyone always asks for the recipe!
- Great for any occasion – Holidays, bake sales, potlucks, or a cozy night in.
There’s something nostalgic and comforting about these bars — they taste like home, happiness, and everything good in life.
🧈 Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 stick (½ cup) melted butter
- 1 egg
For the Topping:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
👩🍳 Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until thick and sticky dough forms.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and 1 egg, then mix until fully blended and fluffy.
- Spread the topping evenly over the crust.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden on top and slightly jiggly in the center. (Don’t overbake — the gooey texture is the secret!)
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
🍮 The Perfect Texture
When baked just right, the crust becomes buttery and chewy, while the top layer stays soft and luscious — a creamy, sweet, gooey dream! Each bite practically melts in your mouth.
If you love desserts that are a little messy, rich, and full of flavor, these bars were made for you.
💡 Pro Tips
- Soften your cream cheese before mixing for a smoother texture.
- Don’t overbake – the center should still look slightly soft when you take it out.
- Add flavor twists:
- Mix in a handful of chocolate chips or white chocolate.
- Add a dash of vanilla or almond extract to the topping.
- Sprinkle crushed pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- For an extra gooey center, bake closer to 35 minutes rather than 40.
🍫 Serving Suggestions
These Ooey Gooey Bars are delicious served:
- Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream 🍦
- Chilled straight from the fridge for a fudge-like texture
- With a dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish
- Or drizzled with caramel or chocolate sauce for extra indulgence!
🧁 Storage
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months — just wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
❤️ A Family Favorite
Ooey Gooey Bars are one of those classic Southern-style desserts that never go out of style. They’re easy enough for beginners, yet so rich and delicious they’ll impress anyone. Every time they come out of the oven, they fill your kitchen with the warm, buttery smell of pure comfort.
This recipe is perfect for:
- Sunday baking days
- Potlucks and parties
- Bake sales
- Quick weeknight desserts
Once you try them, you’ll understand why these bars have been passed down through generations. They’re simple, timeless, and completely addictive.
🔑 Keywords for Google SEO
Ooey Gooey Bars, Gooey Butter Bars, classic Southern dessert, cream cheese bars, easy dessert recipe, quick baking recipe, yellow cake mix desserts, no-fail dessert