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.

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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

Don’t forget – I’m offering a chance to win a cute tote if you donate $5 or more to my Avon Walk by the end of January. See details here.

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14 Responses to “Peanut Butter Brownies”

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    1
    nutmegnanny — August 12, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    Peanut butter and chocolate is my most favorite combination ever! I’m so happy you love your kitchen and it’s really sweet of you to bake for your designer. Homemade treats are such a delicious way to say thank you:)

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    Amanda — August 12, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    Oh wow – these look like the best brownies ever. Beautiful!

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    Megan — August 12, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Amazing looking brownies!

    Does your designer sign on for small projects? We’re looking to add some backsplash. The area behind the sink and stove is just so plain.

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    4
    Jen — August 12, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    Megan, Our designer works at Home Depot in the kitchen department. So I think she only does projects where you order cabinets/countertops from Home Depot…

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    stephchows — August 12, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    We start kitchen destruction at the end of the week! I’m so excited!! Great idea about the counter on top of the radiator!! I’d be totally excited is someone showed up to my work with those brownies 🙂

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    Katie — August 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!! those look sooooooo good!!

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    Ingrid — August 13, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Oddly enough I don’t like chocolate or PB on their own but together it’s a whole other story! LOVE it so this is right up my alley.
    ~ingrid

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    Jigginjessica — August 13, 2009 at 2:24 am

    Yours look great! I am glad you liked them. I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried this for the first time. (And fantastic pictures!)

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    Nicole — August 13, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Can’t wait to try the recipe- thanks! When do we get to see pics of the new (finished) kitchen? 🙂

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    delightfullysweet — August 13, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    Peanut butter and brownies! What could be better?

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    heidi — August 13, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    These look phenomenal, what an awesome way to spice up some brownies!

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    Colleen — August 14, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Yum, these look fabulous!

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    13
    Amanda — August 15, 2009 at 2:46 am

    Those look Heavenly!

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    Jessica Segarra — August 16, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    MMMMM I could seriously go for a whole plate full of those right now!!

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