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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