These Caramel Apple Butter Gooey Bars are fantastically gooey, rich and easy to make with an irresistible apple butter filling and a buttery caramel drizzle.
Prep Time2 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Total Time2 hourshrs55 minutesmins
Course: Bars, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Servings: 15-18
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel
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Ingredients
FOR CRUST:
1box spice cake mix
1egg
1/2cup(1 stick) buttermelted
FOR FILLING & DRIZZLE:
1(8 oz pkg) cream cheeseat room temperature
1cupapple butterhomemade or prepared
1/2cupbrown sugar
1tspvanilla extract
2tspapple pie spice
3eggs
1(16 oz box) powdered sugar
1/2cup(1 stick) buttermelted
Caramel sauce or dulce de leche for drizzlingrecommended
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, egg and melted butter until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan; set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese, apple butter and brown sugar until smooth, about 1 minute. Add in the vanilla extract, apple pie spice and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in the box of powdered sugar, mixing well, followed by the melted butter. Beat until mixed together.
Pour the apple butter filling on top of the crust and bake for approximately 35-45 minutes or until just about set. The center will be slightly jiggly - that's okay as it will continue to set up as it cools. If the center is sloshing around, bake it for a little longer using 5-minute increments.
Cool the bars completely, then refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or until set. Cut into bars and drizzle with caramel sauce or dulce de leche before serving.