Sinful Squares: The Ooey-Gooey Addiction That You Will Secretly Love!

Ooey Gooey Bars are the ultimate indulgence for anyone with a serious sweet tooth. These rich, buttery bars have a soft, almost custard-like layer on top, with a dense, chewy base that melts in your mouth.

Whether you’re making them for a weekend treat, a bake sale, or a family gathering, these bars are always a crowd-pleaser. With their irresistible texture and rich flavor, they offer the perfect balance of sweetness and comfort in every bite.

Top-down view of the cooled cream cheese bars sliced into squares and arranged on a white serving plate on a white marble cooktop. The bars are soft, creamy, with a perfectly golden top. The scene highlights the rich, decadent layers of the dessert, ready to be enjoyed.

What sets this recipe apart is the decadent contrast between the gooey topping and the soft, cake-like bottom layer. The magic happens in the oven, where the layers come together to create an indulgent dessert that’s hard to resist. For an extra layer of deliciousness, try serving these bars with Whipped Greek Yogurt on the side, or go all out and pair them with a scoop of Butter Pecan Ice Cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

These bars have been trending in the dessert world because they’re simple to make yet deliver maximum flavor. Plus, the texture is something you just can’t get enough of—one bite and you’ll be hooked!

Why I Love This Recipe!

  • The combination of a buttery base with a gooey, custard-like topping makes these bars absolutely irresistible.
  • Whether it’s a family gathering or a casual weekend, Ooey Gooey Bars fit right in and make any moment sweeter.
  • You can easily add your favorite flavors—think chocolate chips, peanut butter, or caramel—to make these bars even more special.

These bars always disappear fast, so let me know what fun twists you add or how they turn out for you! I’d love to hear your variations.

Top-down view of the cooled cream cheese bars sliced into squares and arranged on a white serving plate on a white marble cooktop. The bars are soft, creamy, with a perfectly golden top. The scene highlights the rich, decadent layers of the dessert, ready to be enjoyed.

Ooey Gooey Bars Recipe

Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful dessert with a rich, creamy layer on top of a buttery cake base. They’re simple to make, with a sweet and tangy cream cheese filling that pairs perfectly with a soft, cake-like bottom.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 237 kcal

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch baking pan
  • Cooking spray
  • Electric mixer
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 1 18.25-ounce package yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 4 large eggs divided
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 325°F if using a dark pan). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Prepare Cake Base:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 2 eggs, and melted butter using an electric mixer. The batter will be thick. Spread this mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan with a rubber spatula.
    Top-down view of a mixing bowl on a white marble cooktop. Inside the bowl, yellow cake mix, 2 large eggs, and ½ cup of melted butter are being mixed with an electric hand mixer. The thick cake batter is being spread evenly with a rubber spatula into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.

Prepare Cream Cheese Filling:

  • In the same mixing bowl (no need to clean), blend the softened cream cheese, 2 remaining eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour this mixture over the cake batter in the pan.
    Top-down view of a mixing bowl with softened cream cheese, 2 eggs, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The ingredients are being blended with an electric mixer, creating a smooth and creamy filling ready to pour over the cake base.

Bake:

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.
    Top-down view of the baking pan inside the oven, with the cream cheese bars baking at 350°F (or 325°F for a dark pan). The top layer is golden and slightly puffed as the bars bake for 35 minutes.

Notes

  • For an extra touch, you can sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar on top of the bars once they’re cooled.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.

Nutrition Value

NutritionValue
Calories237kcal
Carbohydrates38g
Sodium235mg
Iron0.7mg
Sugar29g
Calcium61mg

Here’s a Peek into My Tips!

  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them, or they may fall apart.
  • Be sure not to overbake, as this will ruin the ooey gooey texture. Once the top turns golden brown, take them out of the oven!
  • Use non-stick spray on your pan, or for easier cleanup, try a disposable one.
  • If you don’t have yellow cake mix, butter or vanilla cake mix works just as well.

Try More Such Bar Recipes!

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Noah Baker

Hi! I’m Noah Baker

Noah Baker is a California-born food blogger behind "FreshmanCook," whose culinary journey began in his tiny apartment kitchen experimenting with recipes that blend innovative techniques and personal passion. After leaving his graphic design career, Noah transformed his love for cooking into a vibrant online platform that celebrates accessible, creative cuisine, capturing food lovers' attention with his stunning photography and approachable recipes. When he's not crafting mouthwatering dishes or styling food for his blog, Noah lives in a cozy apartment with his rescue dog, Basil.

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