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Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake

Delicious Red Velvet Gooey Bars – A Perfect Sweet Treat

These Red Velvet Gooey Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these bars offer the perfect balance of flavors and textures. With a soft, buttery cake base and a rich cream cheese topping, they’re impossible to resist.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course: Baking
Cuisine: American
Calories: 352
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk or substitute with milk + vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon red liquid food coloring
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar plus extra for dusting

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Make the Cake Base: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add 1 egg, ½ cup melted butter, buttermilk, and red food coloring. Mix until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Topping: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and ½ cup melted butter, and mix until well combined. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar, beating until the mixture is creamy.
  4. Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the red velvet base in the baking dish. Bake for about 40 minutes, checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark. The center should remain slightly gooey but not raw, and the edges should be golden.
  5. Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely before slicing them into 16 squares. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch.

Notes

  • Buttermilk Substitution: If you don’t have buttermilk, simply mix 2 tablespoons of milk with a scant ½ teaspoon of white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
  • Mix-ins: Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or marshmallows to the batter before baking for added texture and flavor.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to 7 days. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Facts (per bar, assuming 16 servings):
  • Calories: 352
  • Total Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 58mg
  • Sodium: 240mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 49g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 37g
  • Protein: 3g