Gooey Butter Bars

It's Friday, hell yes! Not that it has been a bad week or anything, but who doesn't like Fridays? Nothing too big planned for the weekend, which is fine with me. A nice, relaxing weekend sounds perfect. Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac is out and about and said to be heading our way. Though it has shifted more to the west, we will probably still get a lot of rain and wind. Maybe, just maybe, we will have to close work Monday (cross your fingers), but as of right now we are still on. I don't want it to hit us by any means, but a day off due to hurricane doesn't sound half bad.

Last week we made our deadline at work due to everyone working their asses off. I was such a proud manager and wanted to do something to say thanks. I'm not wealthy enough to give them anything too cool, but I can cook/bake, so I made these amazingly delicious, extremely unhealthy, dessert bars. Everyone really enjoyed them and I have to admit that I stashed some at home for the boyfriend and myself. They were quick and easy to make and something I will definitely be making again soon.

Gooey Butter Bars

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 stick butter, melted slightly, but still mostly in bar form
• 3 eggs
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups powder sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the cake mix, butter, and one egg.
3. Press into the bottom on a 9x13 baking dish to make crust.
4. Cream 2 eggs, cream cheese, and vanilla together with electric beater until smooth.
5. Add powder sugar one cup at a time, mixing until smooth between each cup.
6. Pour mixture over crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Top should be cracking.
7. Cool completely before cutting.

Tips and Tricks

• Though I haven't tried this, using lemon cake mix and adding lemon extract, juice, and/or zest to cream cheese mixture might be a wonderful adaption to the recipe.
• Use a sharp knife, dipped in hot water when cutting.