Gooey Butter Bars

I had never heard of Gooey Butter Bars until Janet (Alex's mom) brought them over for dessert one night with the missionaries.  Alex and I were on a diet that allowed for one sweet a day, and it was agonizing to only have one piece each day, when we wanted to gobble up the whole pan.  I never thought I'd like a non-chocolate dessert so much.  :-)

Apparently, Gooey Butter Bars are kind of a Midwest thing.  They originated in St. Louis, and are still a local favorite there.  

 

Gooey Butter Bars

Recipe from Janet Diestler.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Pound Cake mix (Dromeday works best)
• ½ cup butter (melted and cooled)
• 2 eggs
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 additional eggs
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• sliced almonds

Directions:

1. To make cake base, beat 2 eggs into melted butter (cool) and add dry cake mix. Mix well with wooden spoon. Spread into greased 9 x 13 pan. 
2. Beat cream cheese and 2 additional eggs together and add powdered sugar and vanilla. Pour mixture over cake base and sprinkle with almonds. 
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. 
4. When cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar. 
5. These are best when allowed to cool in refrigerator overnight. They also freeze well.