Ooey Gooey Bars are deliciously rich and indulgent, with a soft, buttery base and a gooey, sweet topping. Here’s a simple recipe for these delightful bars:
Ingredients
- For the Base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or a mix of chocolate and butterscotch chips)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Base:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing it down with a spatula.
- Bake the Base:
- Bake the base in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and milk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil. Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and chocolate chips until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the chocolate filling over the partially baked base, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is set and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. The filling will firm up as it cools.
Tips
- Butter: Ensure the butter is softened for the base to achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Corn Syrup: Light corn syrup helps give the filling its gooey consistency. If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use honey as a substitute.
- Cooling: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices and to let the filling set properly.
These Ooey Gooey Bars are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth and are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy the decadent combination of a soft base and a rich, gooey topping!