Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars with 6 Ingredients - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

October 3, 2017March 27, 2024

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Looking for an easy dessert that will impress your family and friends? These decadent Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars are knock your socks off good and quick to put together with just six ingredients.

Recipes that start with a cake mix are the ultimate time savers. These Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars also use ingredients that most of us have on hand the majority of the time. That means this is one recipe we can whip up for a last minute dessert or afternoon snack for the kiddos.

You always have at least one package of cream cheese (or 4) in your refrigerator, right? Please tell us we aren’t the only ones that consider cream cheese a kitchen “staple”!

Gooey Cake Ingredients

Layer 1:

• Yellow Cake Mix
• Large Eggs
• Melted Butter

Layer 2:

• Cream cheese, softened
• Large Eggs
• Powdered Sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

Yellow Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe

A mom of one of Barbara’s high school friends would make a version of these yellow cake mix dessert bars, and when she ran across this recipe in her Glenwood (college cooperative) stash, she had to know if they were one in the same.

Her verdict?

Barbara was pleasantly surprised to find out they were indeed just as delicious as the ones from her memories.They are rich, decadent, buttery goodness, and the entire pan always disappears. We recommend making these for any pitch-in, party, or gathering. Kids and adults alike love them.

We recently had a reader (hi, Lori!) share that her mom made these and her family called them “Mmmm Bars.” We love hearing from readers when our recipes bring back such good memories!

These are so rich that there’s no need for a frosting.

How to Make Gooey Bars with Cake Mix

Step by Step Instructions

1. Mix together cake mix, butter and eggs and press cake batter into bottom of 13 x 9 inch pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, eggs and powdered sugar until smooth, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed; spread dough over the crust layer.
3. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven around 35 minutes.

Equipment

Check your pantry to make sure you have all of these ingredients and kitchen tools before you make these decadent cake mix gooey bars. I really think a spreader like one makes the recipe so much easier to make.

For the cake mix gooey bars recipe and ingredient list, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• These cream cheese bars have two layers. The recipe calls to make the first layer, spread into the pan, and then make the second layer. We use the same bowl for both layers. No need to do extra dishes.
• To prevent scrambling your eggs with the melted butter, allow it to cool for a couple minutes before adding to the batter or add it to the cake mix first, stir, and then add the eggs.
• Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent clumps.
• Do not over bake these cake mix cream cheese bars. Baking too long will make them less-gooey.
• Substitute a white cake mix for yellow, if needed.
• Cake mix bars can be modified for your liking. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see our favorite variations.
• I use any brand of cake mix include Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Aldi brand, etc.

How do I store ooey gooey bars?

People often ask if ooey gooey bars need to be refrigerated. Due to the cream cheese in the batter, these gooey cake bars will mold if left out at room temperature too long. To be safe, we recommend storing the leftovers in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze ooey gooey bars?

Yes, absolutely. Cut into bite-sized bars, wrap tightly in saran wrap, and then place in an air-tight zip-lock bag for the best preservation method.

Recipe Variations

• Add chocolate chips or leftover candy pieces.
• I’ve added extra eggs and extra cream cheese to make these even more decadent.
• For more flavor, add vanilla extract or almond extract.
• Use any flavor of cake mix!
• If desired, top with a homemade glaze or fresh berries.

Our Favorite Recipes Using Boxed Cake Mix

Need some more ideas for those uninspiring boxed cake mixes in your pantry?

We have plenty of ideas for you:

• Easy Cake Mix Caramel Bars
• Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls.
• Cherry Almond Dump Cake
• Triple Chocolate Cake
• Pistachio Coffee Cake
• Amaretto Poke Cake
• 9 x 13 Sour Cream Coconut Cake

Do you have a favorite way to kick a cake mix up a notch?

Ooey Gooey Bars Variations

• Chocolate Chip Gooey Bars
• Lemon Gooey Butter Bars
• Chocolate Cake Mix Gooey Bars
• Mixed Nut Gooey Bars
• Leftover Candy Ooey Gooey Cake

Linking up to Meal Plan Monday.