Ooey Gooey Bars

 Prepare to indulge in the ultimate dessert experience. These bars are a legendary trio of textures: a buttery cake mix crust, a tangy cream cheese layer, and a luxuriously rich chocolate topping that flows like a fudgy river. Simple to make yet impossible to resist, they are the answer to your deepest sweet tooth cravings.

🍽️ Yields: 24 bars
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏲️ Bake Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Topping:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan & Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set it aside.

2. Make the Buttery Crust:

• In a medium bowl, combine the dry cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Stir until a soft, crumbly dough forms.

• Press this dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.

3. Create the Creamy Layer:

• In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it's completely smooth.

• Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat again until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

• Carefully spread this cream cheese mixture over the crust layer.

4. Whip Up the Chocolate Magic:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.

• Heat in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.

• Pour this luscious chocolate over the cream cheese layer and spread it evenly with a spatula.

5. Bake to Perfection:

• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and pulling away from the sides of the pan. The center may still look a little soft—this is perfect for that "ooey gooey" texture!

6. The Most Important Step: Cool Completely!

• Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This is essential for them to set properly so you can get clean slices.

7. Slice and Savor:

• Once completely cool, slice into squares, serve, and get ready for the compliments to roll in