OOOOEY GOOEY BARS
Introduction
Ooey Gooey Bars are one of those classic, nostalgic desserts that bring instant joy the moment they hit the table. Soft, rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet, these bars deliver a melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels both comforting and indulgent.
Created originally as a Southern specialty, this recipe has traveled far beyond its origins because of how easy it is to prepare and how consistently delicious the results are. Built on a buttery cake-like crust and topped with a silky, custard-style filling, these bars offer the perfect balance of dense and gooey textures.
Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or cooled and cut neatly into squares, Ooey Gooey Bars remain a timeless dessert for all ages.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe shines because it strikes a perfect harmony between simplicity and indulgence. The base layer made from boxed yellow cake mix creates a soft but structured crust that holds up the lush filling without requiring advanced baking skills.
Using cream cheese in the filling ensures a smooth, velvety consistency, while powdered sugar adds sweetness without graininess. A little flour stabilizes the mixture so it sets without becoming firm.
The recipe is incredibly adaptable, making it easy to add chocolate chips, nuts, citrus zest, or dollops of fruit jam without risking the overall structure. Its reliability and flexibility are why this dessert continues to be a favorite.
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
This recipe uses familiar, accessible ingredients that many people keep in their pantry or refrigerator. The crust requires only a boxed cake mix, butter, and an egg—simple components that combine to form a soft, rich base.
The filling is made from cream cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and all-purpose flour, creating a luxurious, custard-like layer that gives the bars their signature texture.
Optional additions allow you to personalize the flavor, whether you prefer nuts, chocolate, citrus, or fruit. You won’t need any special equipment—just bowls, a spatula, mixing tools, and a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
For the Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Optional Additions:
1/2 cup chocolate or butterscotch chips
1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Raspberry or strawberry jam drizzle
How To Make Ooey Gooey Bars
This recipe follows a simple, easy-to-master process. You’ll first prepare the crust by combining the cake mix, butter, and egg, then press this into your baking dish.
The filling is mixed separately, starting with cream cheese until smooth, followed by eggs, vanilla, sugar, and flour. Once the filling is poured over the crust, optional toppings can be added to customize flavor and texture.
After baking until golden at the edges and just set in the center, the bars are cooled and cut into squares. Each step is designed to ensure both texture and flavor remain perfectly balanced.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to make removal easy.
Make the Crust:
In a mixing bowl, stir together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until smooth and thick.
Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your baking dish.
Prepare the Filling:
In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually add powdered sugar and flour, blending until creamy.
Assemble the Bars:
Pour the filling over the crust and spread it out evenly.
Add optional toppings such as chocolate chips, nuts, or jam drizzle if desired.
Bake the Bars:
Bake for 35–40 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, while the center should still look slightly soft.
Cool and Slice:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing to achieve the cleanest cuts.
Variations You Can Try
These Ooey Gooey Bars are wonderfully customizable. For a peanut butter twist, swirl a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter into the filling before baking.
If you want something festive, sprinkle colorful holiday sprinkles across the top. For chocolate lovers, swap the yellow cake mix with brownie mix for an extra fudgy version.
Adding lemon zest creates a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet filling. You can even swirl jam or caramel sauce over the top before baking for added flavor and color.
Tips + Tricks For Recipe Success
Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened; cold cream cheese will create lumps.
Press the crust firmly into the pan so it doesn’t crumble when sliced.
Do not overbake; the center should still appear slightly jiggly when removed from the oven.
Chill the bars before cutting for the neatest, cleanest slices.
Wipe your knife between cuts to prevent sticking.
If using jam, warm it slightly to make drizzling smoother.
How Cooking Time Affects Texture
If baked at the recommended 35–40 minutes, the top will set while the inside remains gooey. Baking a few minutes longer will produce a firmer, more cake-like center, though the bars will still taste delicious. Under-baking too much can create a filling that is too loose to hold its shape when cut, so aim for a center that still jiggles but does not look liquid.
How To Serve Your Ooey Gooey Bars
These bars are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. You can serve them slightly warm for a softer, meltier experience, or chilled for a firmer, cheesecake-like texture.
They pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. Serving them with a small dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into an extra-special dessert. For parties and gatherings, slice them into smaller squares for bite-sized treats that guests can enjoy easily.
Serving Suggestions
With Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream adds a delicious contrast to the warm, gooey center.
Fruit Topping: Fresh berries or berry compote help balance the sweetness.
Drizzles: Chocolate sauce, caramel, or warm jam enhance the flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Dust lightly for a classic bakery look.
Holiday Presentation: Add festive sprinkles or colored sugar for seasonal celebrations.
Portion Size Tips
Because these bars are rich and sweet, smaller servings are usually perfect. Cutting them into 20–24 small squares makes them ideal for potlucks and gatherings.
For family dessert nights, larger squares are great, especially if served with fresh fruit or ice cream. The bars are quite filling, so even small portions satisfy a sweet craving.
How To Store Your Ooey Gooey Bars
You can store these bars at room temperature for up to two days if the weather is cool and dry. For longer freshness, refrigerate them in an airtight container for four to five days.
To freeze, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving. Freezing works especially well if you plan to make these ahead for a party or holiday.
Reheating Instructions
If you prefer enjoying these bars warm, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–12 seconds. This softens the filling and brings back that ooey-gooey warmth.
Avoid reheating for too long, as the filling may melt excessively. For crispier edges, you can warm slices in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5–7 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Ooey Gooey Bars are the kind of dessert that brings smiles to everyone who tries them. They’re easy enough for beginners yet impressive enough for special gatherings.
With endless variations and a dependable base recipe, you can adapt them to holidays, seasons, or personal tastes.
Whether enjoyed warm, cold, or frozen, they deliver pure comfort in every bite. This recipe is a must-make for anyone who loves rich, sweet, irresistible desserts.