Gooey Bars (aka Cream Cheese Bars)
I have no idea what these bars should actually be called or where this recipe really came from… It’s likely to have come on the back of a cream cheese box for all I know. (Actually, Google helped me to find this recipe which is the same). This is another recipe that my family loves. My sisters practically know this recipe by heart. Similar to the “best dang thing ever bars”, my sisters also prefer to underbake these bars, hence the name gooey bars. I tend to like my bars fully cooked so they hold their shape better. If you prefer an even gooier texture, take these out of the oven a couple minutes early.
I know some of you will shudder at the thought of using a box cake mix. I agree that in general, I would much rather make a cake/cookie/brownie from scratch. For starters, it’s a lot more fun as a baker to measure everything out and follow a recipe that has more than two steps. Not to mention knowing exactly what is in your food (and being able to pronounce it all!) I do however believe that boxed cake mix has a time and a place. One of those places being in this bar.
These bars taste almost like a cheesecake with a great chewy shortbread crust. Everyone that tried one really enjoyed them and Hubby ate an embarassingly large number of these bars.
Gooey Bars
Yield: 30
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
1 pound powdered sugar
1 8-oz package cream cheese
Directions:
Mix cake mix, margarine & 1 egg with fork. Press into bottom of greased 9 x 13 pan, set aside.
Beat powdered sugar, cream cheese and 2 eggs for 4 or 5 minutes. Pour over cake mixture.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars.
Recipe from my step mom
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I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
This recipe looks fantastic, I would love to try it, any idea what I could use as a substitute for the frozen whipped topping? I think such a thing would be hard to find here, can I make it? x
wow that looks simple, and 3 muskateers are the “healthier” candy bar, right? hehe
Um, why is this recipe so easy? This could be deadly in my kitchen!
These are SUCH a good idea!! Seriously, I’m super impressed! 🙂
Sues
Who knew you could make 3 Musketeers?! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Wow! They look just like the real deal, and that recipe sounds way too easy. So dangerous!!
Oh my goodness…these look amazing! Nicely done : )
Homemade candy makes my feel not as guilty when I’m devouring a whole bunch 🙂
Seriously, you’re an amazing baker!! I would never think to make these at home. They look fantastic!
I was afraid to read through the whole recipe in fear I’d run straight to the kitchen. they look amazing
THis is my boyfriend’s favorite candy bar… I have to make these! 🙂
These sound amazing Jen! Super simple- yet incredibly indulgent and definitely would satisfy a sweet tooth…or two…
Wow – I had no idea these could be homemade! They look delicious!
I must make this! It’s one of mine and my husband’s favorite candy bar! YOurs look so great. I can’t wait to try it.
This is my 2nd favorite candy. Now if only you could make butterfingers!! Love these, nicely done!!
I LOVE how easy this recipe is! *saving*
This candy gave me awesome mom status for quite a while. : )
You are so talented! I wouldn’t have the patience to dip each of those little bites 🙂
I could not be trusted around these treats. They look too good to have just one, two or three….
I just made these homemade 3 Musketeers. My family said they tasted like the real thing, only a little richer. Mine were definitely not as pretty, they are so ugly 🙂
Oh yea Kristi, mine weren’t very pretty. The only pretty ones I could find are in the picture!
Wow! You MADE those? So impressed.
Made these with my grandson and they were great! My husband now won’t eat a store bought musketeers bar.
beantownbaker — July 14th, 2013 @ 4:17 pm
Isn’t that the good and bad thing about making stuff like this at home? Then you’ll never go back to store bought again!
Could you tell me how many cups is in a 8oz tub of whipped topping??
beantownbaker — August 30th, 2013 @ 7:22 am
From Kraft’s website, an 8 oz. tub of cool whip yields 3 cups.