Description
Delight in these Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars featuring a moist strawberry cake base topped with a creamy white chocolate and cream cheese layer studded with fresh strawberries. Perfectly gooey and bursting with flavor, these bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) strawberry cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Cream Cheese Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries, patted dry
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix until a thick dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the cake base.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Add Sweetness and Mix-ins: Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and the diced fresh strawberries, ensuring they are well distributed.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake base in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly gooey for that perfect texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish to set fully. For cleaner slices, refrigerate the bars for 1 hour before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the fresh strawberries are thoroughly dried to prevent excess moisture which can affect the bar’s texture.
- Chilling the bars for at least 1 hour before cutting helps achieve cleaner, neater slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
