Ooey Gooey Bars Or Cheese Bars
Ooey Gooey Bars are rich, sweet layers with a cake mix base, cream cheese topping, and optional coconut and nuts, perfect for satisfying dessert cravings and sharing at gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grease an oblong cake pan with butter.
- Mix the cake mix, egg, and melted butter in the pan and let set for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the mixture thinly on the bottom of the pan.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, eggs, and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the cake mix batter in the pan.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate chips.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
- Optionally, add a can of coconut on top of the chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F until golden brown, approximately 35 minutes.
- Allow to cool, then cut into squares.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. If you don't have yellow cake mix, a vanilla or butter cake mix works well too. Feel free to substitute the chocolate chips with butterscotch chips or even dried fruit for a different twist. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to prevent lumps in the filling.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are delightful on their own but can be elevated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. They also pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat. For a festive touch, serve alongside a slice of Kokekola Cake or any seasonal dessert to impress your guests.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Ooey Gooey Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, place cut squares in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, just until warm but not hot, to maintain their gooey texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ooey Gooey Bars Or Cheese Bars contains roughly 346 calories, with 5g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (16% of the Daily Value) and protein (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars can be made a day in advance. Just make sure to store them properly to keep them fresh. Allow them to cool completely before cutting and storing them in an airtight container.
What can I use instead of pecans?
If you're looking for a nut-free option, you can omit the pecans entirely or substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch. Alternatively, slivered almonds or walnuts work well if you want to keep the nutty flavor.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when they turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, which can dry them out.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).