Description
Delightful Pumpkin Gooey Butter Bars combine the rich, buttery crust of a yellow cake mix with a creamy, spiced pumpkin filling for a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for the fall season or any pumpkin lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Filling
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 box (16 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Prepare the baking pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the crust mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix well until the dough is soft and evenly combined.
- Press the crust: Evenly press the cake mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a uniform crust layer.
- Prepare the filling base: In another mixing bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree and softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add remaining filling ingredients: Add the remaining 3 eggs, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup melted butter to the pumpkin mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to the pumpkin mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the pumpkin filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan, spreading it out smoothly.
- Bake the bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the center still has a slight wobble.
- Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan to set the filling.
- Serve: Slice into bars once cooled and enjoy your pumpkin gooey butter bars.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to prevent lumps in the filling.
- Do not overbake; the center should be slightly wobbly for gooey texture.
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for best flavor.
- Bars can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of cream cheese frosting before serving.
