Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
If you’re searching for a Christmas dessert that’s effortless, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to impress, look no further than these Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars.
Ingredients & Customization Options
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity and flexibility. While the base recipe is already delicious, you can modify the ingredients to create unique variations that suit your taste. Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Possible Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Cake Mix | 1 box (15.25 oz) | Vanilla, spice, or butter cake mix for variety |
| Butter (melted) | ½ cup (1 stick) | Unsalted butter for better flavor control |
| Eggs (large) | 2 | Room temperature for even mixing |
| Cream Cheese | 8 oz (softened) | Mascarpone for an ultra-rich texture |
| Powdered Sugar | 2 cups | Adjust based on sweetness preference |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp | Almond extract for a nutty twist |
| Festive Add-ins | ½ cup | Crushed candy canes, white chocolate chips, sprinkles |
Flavor Variations
- Peppermint Wonderland: Stir in ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
- Cinnamon Sugar Bliss: Mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon into the filling and dust the top with cinnamon sugar.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Use chocolate cake mix and fold in dark chocolate chips for extra richness.
- Eggnog Delight: Replace vanilla extract with eggnog extract and add a sprinkle of nutmeg for a seasonal touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars
1. Preheat & Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). To prevent sticking, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper for easy removal and slicing.
2. Create the Crust
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir until the mixture forms a thick dough. Press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, making sure to cover all corners.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, the remaining egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is light, creamy, and well combined.
For an extra holiday touch, fold in festive sprinkles or white chocolate chips. If you love holiday cookies, you might also enjoy Italian Nut Roll Cookies, which pair beautifully with these bars.
4. Assemble & Bake
Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust and spread it evenly. If desired, sprinkle red and green sugar crystals or chopped pecans on top for extra flavor and texture.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. The key to achieving the perfect gooey texture is not overbaking—bars should still jiggle slightly in the center when removed from the oven.
5. Cooling & Cutting
Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. For clean, even cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices. If you prefer a firmer texture, refrigerate the bars for an hour before cutting.
Pro Tips for the Best Gooey Bars
Achieving the perfect texture and flavor requires a few baking tricks. Here’s what you need to know:
✅ Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly, creating a lump-free batter.
✅ Don’t Overbake: The bars will firm up as they cool. Overbaking results in a dry, cakey texture.
✅ Try Different Cake Mixes: For a spiced holiday twist, swap yellow cake mix for spice cake.
✅ Let Them Rest: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting for cleaner, neater slices.
These bars are a perfect addition to any holiday dessert table. If you’re looking for another easy yet indulgent Christmas dessert, consider trying Easy Pecan Pie Dump Cake for a sweet, crunchy alternative.
FAQs:
What are Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies?
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, chewy cookies made with a rich blend of butter, cream cheese, and cake mix, often topped with festive sprinkles for a holiday touch.
What ingredients do I need to make these cookies?
You’ll need a box of yellow cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, an egg, vanilla extract, and sprinkles for decoration. Some variations suggest using almond or peppermint extract for a festive twist.
How do I make the dough for these cookies?
Start by beating together softened butter, cream cheese, an egg, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cake mix to form a soft dough
Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
Description
Try this irresistible Christmas Ooey Gooey recipe! A rich, chewy, and festive treat that’s sure to be a holiday favorite!
Ingredients
- Yellow Cake Mix – 1 box (15.25 oz) (substitute with vanilla, spice, or butter cake mix for variety)
- Butter (melted) – ½ cup (1 stick) (use unsalted for better flavor control)
- Eggs (large) – 2 (room temperature for even mixing)
- Cream Cheese (softened) – 8 oz (mascarpone for an ultra-rich texture)
- Powdered Sugar – 2 cups (adjust for sweetness preference)
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon (swap with almond extract for a nutty twist)
- Festive Add-ins – ½ cup (crushed candy canes, white chocolate chips, or holiday sprinkles)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray, or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2️⃣ Create the Crust
- In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, melted butter, and one egg.
- Stir until a thick dough forms.
- Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
3️⃣ Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, the remaining egg, and vanilla extract.
- Mix until light and creamy.
- Fold in festive add-ins like sprinkles or white chocolate chips.
4️⃣ Assemble & Bake
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with holiday sugar crystals or crushed candy canes if desired.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center is still slightly jiggly.
5️⃣ Cooling & Cutting
- Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
- For firmer bars, refrigerate for 1 hour before slicing.
- Use a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts for neat slices.
Notes
- For a peppermint twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
- For a spiced version: Use spice cake mix and add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the filling.
- For extra richness: Use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese.
- Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Holiday Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 3g
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