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
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.
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. 
Mmmm that sounds awesome! Such a unique dish!! I’m glad it turned out well, and extra props for not giving in to the bribery aspect, I’m sure you would have won otherwise =)
Looks soooo good!! I want to try to make this sometime 🙂
What a great idea!! I need to go eat breakfast now… wish I had this!!
oh yummmmmm. i’ve been craving cinnamon roll all week!
I want to make this this weekend! Thanks for posting!
Oh my gosh, this looks so amazing! Great idea. I think I just drooled on my keyboard a bit. 🙂
Genius!
Would you classify this as a dessert, or breakfast (or both)? 🙂
I’d def call this a breakfast item, but it would be perfect for dessert too!
Ok that is awesome! I gotta try that. Breakfast indulgence here we come!
My husband just suggested monkey bread to me last wknd. I like this version soooo much better, and he will too. Thanks for the great idea!
I usually make something like this on Christmas morning, but I just use regular monkey rolls. I am definitely trying it with cinnamon rolls next time. Thanks!
Awesome idea! I loved the link to the cinnamon roll cupcakes as well. I’m defiantly trying this out with my all time favorite cinnamon roll recipe. Thanks for sharing 😀
That is a genius idea combining your two favorites! I’m super impressed!
My goodness gracious those look good! I haven’t made monkey bread in ages, but have a recipe ready to go once I do. I love your twist!!
Happy Sunday! :O)
be still my heart. you’ve just combined two of the finest creations in all of food land. i bow at your feet. 🙂
WOAH this is sooo smart!!! yum. yum. YUM!
aww that is SO ADORABLE. monkey bread to the max!!!
thnx for sharing!~
Wonderful!
I had originally made your overnight cinnabuns a few months ago and loved them!
I think I have to give this one a go 😀
P.S I’m now following you :D:D
What a great idea-I am drooling all over the keyboard after reading this post! I am definitely going to try this the next time I make cinnamon rolls 🙂
Oh, man that’s a brillant idea! I like my monkey bread gooey so I agree with your suggestion of turning it out asap.
~ingrid