Baby, It’s Gold (I mean, Cold) Outside

ducks-across-the-water

During the past few weeks, the weather hasn’t seemed to make up its mind. Here in Memphis it has either been 70 degrees F or 40 and below! Finally, it feels like Jack Frost is here to stay. When the weather starts to turn bitter cold and Winter has finally come, I start to yearn for something warm , gooey, and golden.baby-pinecones

No, it’s not tea with honey! Although I literally could not function without my daily cuppa! I recently asked many of you to guess what this post would be about on Facebook. Answers ranged from Blondies to Pralines and Peanut Brittle. All might seem to fit the bill, but the one thing I have on my mind is Oooey Gooey Butter Bars or as my family in Texas calls them, “Texas Gold.”butter-bar-4

With 2 sticks of butter melted, vanilla paste with real bits of vanilla swirling in the batter, smooth, thick cream cheese, and sweet, snow white confectioners sugar, these bars are delicious! It only has 6 ingredients making them easy to make in a pinch or just because, like me, you want something warm, oooey gooey and golden.

Also, don’t be afraid to get your child involved in the making of these delicious bars. Bluebird really enjoyed pushing the dough around and patting it to fit the bottom of the pan. Hello, Tactile Learning!! She also helped spread the cream cheese mixture on top which helped with motor skills. The kitchen is a great place to learn and the results are always yummy!butterbar1

 

Oooey Gooey Butter Bars

Serves 12 bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 box of Duncan Hines Butter Yellow Cake Mix
  • 1 egg
  • 2 sticks butter, melted, divided
  • 1 package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste
  • 1 1/4  box confectioner’s sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, 1 egg and 1 stick of butter. Mix thoroughly. When the mixture looks like a thick, dough for the crust of your bars, scrape dough into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Spread and pat dough down until it covers the entire bottom of the dish.butterbar2

In a new or clean mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until it is smooth and whipped. Add 2 eggs, vanilla paste, and 1 stick of butter melted. Beat until mixture is thoroughly combined. Add 1 box confectioner’s sugar and mix gradually increasing to medium speed. (This will keep the sugar in the bowl and off of you!) Spread mixture over bar crust and bake for 50 minutes. butterbar3

Remember the center will be oooey gooey, so don’t worry that it may not be done. It is done. It’s supposed to be that way. In fact, it may sink alittle, but that’s my favorite part! I love watching the sugary hard top crackle as it cools.  Top with remaining confectioners sugar and enjoy! Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

2 Comments

Leave a Reply to Jean Reeder Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *