Ooey Gooey Bars

Chocolate Ooey Gooey Bars are chocolate cheesecake dessert perfection. These brownie cheesecake bars make an amazing treat and are excellent for sharing. Baked to ooey gooey perfection, these decadent cheesecake brownies are ready to enjoy in less than an hour. Makes 24 bars.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings bars

Calories 205kcal

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

15.25 oz. chocolate cake mix 1 box
8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
1 egg

Cheesecake Layer

8 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 lb. powdered sugar
¾ cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking 9"x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.

Make the brownie layer.

Mix chocolate cake mix, the melted butter and one egg together to create the bottom layer of the bar.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and flatten. This should take a little while since the mixture is THICK and not very liquid-y.

Make the cheesecake layer.

Mix together the cream cheese, the other eggs, the softened butter, applesauce and vanilla extract until smooth with a hand mixer in a large bowl.
Pour in the powdered sugar gradually, stirring until the wet ingredients are completed blended and combined.
Pour on top of bottom layer in the pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the top layer.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Let cool for 30 minutes, then slice into individual bars and enjoy!

Notes

When these Ooey Gooey Bars are warm, they're molten and will fall apart on you. While they're delicious this way, it's best to let them sit for a bit and cool off before slicing.

A note on substitutions:

Swap the chocolate cake mix for a yellow cake mix to make these a Blondie Cheesecake situation!
Use a different type of chocolate chip. If using semisweet or milk chocolate chips, use ½ cup so that the cheesecake layer doesn't become too sweet.
If you don't want to use applesauce or don't have it, use the same amount of softened unsalted butter.

Quick tips and tricks to the best Brownie Cheesecake Bars

How to make in advance: These cheesecake brownies are an excellent dessert to make in advance. Simply bake them as the recipe states, then let them cool completely before covering with plastic wrap and storing in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving, then slice and serve.
How to store: Keep them in their baking dish in the refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap. Since this dessert involves cream cheese, I always keep them in the fridge.
To freeze Ooey Gooey Bars, let them come to room temperature before slicing. Line a baking sheet with wax paper, and place the individual slices of the bars onto it. Transfer to the freezer, and freeze for 4-6 hours, or frozen solid. Transfer the frozen bars into a plastic freezer-safe baggie, and keep frozen for up to a month.

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