Easy Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Squares
If you’re never had ooey gooey bars, you’re in for a treat! Baked with a cookie-like crust topped with a soft, sweet filling, this cake mix dessert is one you’re sure to be making again and again.
These easy ooey gooey butter cake squares are a classic potluck dessert that your family and friends will love! They’re simple to make and can be eaten warm with a fork or served cool like a bar.
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Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I attended my fair share of Sunday potluck dinners after church. Sometimes also called “dinner on the grounds,” these events were home to tables full of food to feed a crowd.
The aroma would waft through the Sunday School halls, causing us kids to watch the clock like a hawk, waiting for the service to end.
I knew there would be countless goodies to be had, because, let’s be honest–church ladies can cook.
The dessert table was my absolute favorite.
Now, because I grew up attending these potlucks, I learned a few tricks. The most important one? Get dessert before you sit down to eat your dinner.
Because if you wait to visit the dessert table until after you eat your plate of casseroles and sides, your sweet tooth will be disappointed by what little selection remains.
Trust me, if you want the good stuff, you gotta get it quick.
Speaking of the good stuff, these ooey gooey butter cake squares are a potluck classic. In fact, they’re one of the best potluck desserts, in my opinion!
And if you love these, you’ll adore these red velvet ooey gooey butter cake squares and this pistachio ooey gooey butter cake!
Ooey Gooey Bars Made with Cake Mix
I found this recipe for ooey gooey butter cake bars in an old church cookbook, and I knew I wanted to make them. Because if the church ladies put it in the cookbook, you know it has to be good.
I think some southerners call them “Chess Bars,” because they’re similar to a chess pie. Whatever you want to call them, I can tell you one thing–these bars do not disappoint.
When they’re still warm, the top layer is almost pudding-like, earning the “ooey gooey” name.
You can eat them like that with a fork (or a spoon if you want to top them with vanilla ice cream!), but I also like to let them cool a bit and just eat them with my hand, more like a brownie-type dessert.
These ooey gooey butter cake bars are perfect for feeding a crowd. If you’re hosting a get-together or headed to a potluck, they’re easy to make (thanks to a cake mix!) and the guests will thank you.
However you decide to eat them, they’re delicious! Just be sure to follow my hard-earned potluck advice and snag a bite before they’re gone!
How to Make Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Squares
It’s easy to make this classic potluck dessert made with few ingredients.
Find the full printable recipe available below
Mix the ingredients for the crust layer. You’ll start by mixing together a yellow cake mix, melted butter, and an egg.
This will be thicker, more like the consistency of cookie dough than cake batter. Press it into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
Mix the ooey gooey layer and bake. Next, you’ll mix together some powdered sugar, cream cheese, and eggs until smooth.
Pour the mixture over the crust layer, then bake.
Cool and serve. If you want to serve these bars warm, you certainly can. They’ll be softer and go really well with vanilla ice cream.
I prefer to let them cool completely and firm up a little, then serve them as a handheld bar.
Either way, they’re delicious. Enjoy!
Recommended Equipment:
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Squares
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (13.25 or 15.25 ounces)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick, melted)
- 4 eggs (divided)
- 3 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13" baking dish and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir by hand or use an electric mixer on low speed to incorporate into a dough-like consistency.
- Pat cake mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, and 3 eggs together until smooth (I find it easiest to add one egg at a time, mixing after each).
- Pour cream cheese mixture over the cake mixture.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until edges are golden and center is still slightly jiggly.
- Serve warm or allow to cool completely for more of a bar-like consistency.
Notes
- Leftover bars can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, I recommend refrigerating the bars.
- You can use a 13.25-ounce or 15.25-ounce yellow cake mix without adjusting any other ingredients.
- I typically cut into 20 squares, but you can cut into larger or smaller servings, if preferred.
Nutrition
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More Delicious Dessert Recipes:
- Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting
- Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake (From a Cake Mix!)
- Better than the Box: Homemade Brownies
- Easy Canned Carrot Cake
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