Description
This Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter is a decadent American dessert that features a rich chocolate cake crust loaded with chopped pecans and a luscious, creamy cream cheese topping. Baked to perfection with a gooey center and crisp edges, it’s a perfect treat for holidays or any special occasion. Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make crust mixture: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, 1 large egg, and chopped pecans. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Press crust into pan: Evenly press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a solid base layer.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining 2 large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture until it becomes light and fluffy with no lumps.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared crust, spreading it out smoothly to cover the entire surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly gooey and not fully firm.
- Cool and serve: Allow the dessert to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares for serving. For best results, serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Do not overbake; the center should stay gooey for the perfect texture.
- For extra depth of flavor and texture, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the crust mixture.
- Serving the bars slightly warm with vanilla ice cream adds to the indulgence.
