Gooey Butter Bars are a shortbread cookie dough topped with a gooey cheesecake-like topping. This "from scratch" recipe includes chocolate chips and the unique nutty flavor of browned butter in the shortbread crust.
My family pretty much takes the fact that our lives revolve around food for granted. They really have no clue that they eat really well. Well, until they move out of the house, that is. At that point there is usually a new appreciation for Mom's cooking. If I sound frustrated, well... I am.
So, my husband told me that he needed to bring something to work for a buffet meal they were having. You know, build camaraderie, esprit de corps, and all of that. He offered to pick something up at the grocery store bakery and I thought I was going to have to slap him.
"This is what I do for a living..." I spat out between gritted teeth.
So I wanted to do something that would knock everyone's socks off -- just to show the family that I am frickin' amazing in the kitchen. I decided on these bars. I haven't made them in years. I used to make them for our small group fellowships back in my "other" life but I had kind of forgotten about gooey butter bars until I was trying to think of something that would bring the world to its knees in appreciation... or at least be something that everyone would like.
I don't know anyone who doesn't like these. They are gooey, they are buttery, they are sweet, they are indescribable perfection on a plate. These are not made from cake mix. I use almond flour to make the bottom layer a bit more like shortbread and browning the butter gives them that toasty, nutty, caramelly flavor. So good!
I also add a handful of chocolate chips on top of the cookie layer before I spoon the cream cheese mixture on top.
Tip for Browning Butter
If you haven't browned butter (on purpose) before you can do this - it's easy. You want to let the butter melt in a heavy pan over medium low heat and once it's melted leave it there, watching carefully as the clear liquid turns from a yellow color to a golden brown - about the color of caramel or maybe just slightly darker. If you get to the color of coffee you've gone too far. Watch it carefully, and push the light colored foam on the top aside so you can see the actual color of the butter.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Bars
Print Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
Bottom layer
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg, , room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
Gooey Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, , beaten, room temperature
- 11/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, , melted
- 1 pound confectioner's sugar, , make sure there are no lumps
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Bottom layer
- Melt the butter in a small pan and allow it to turn golden brown.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Blend the flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a mixer.
- Add the browned butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk.
- Beat until the dough is firm and sticks together.
- Press the dough into the bottom of a greased 13x9-inch pan.
- Set aside.
Gooey Layer
- In a clean mixer bowl blend the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, butter, and confectioner's sugar until well blended and smooth.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on the bottom layer then carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the top.
- Bake at 350F for 40 minutes. DO not overbake.
- Cool completely before cutting in bars.
- Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Emily says
Going to make these next weekend! I'm drooling already.if I don't have almond flour, can I get by with just all-purpose? Or do I really need to get some almond flour too??
Marye Audet says
You can probably get by with just all purpose but the almond flour is really an important part of this. It adds flavor and texture. 🙂 Let me know how you like them!
Marye Audet says
🙂 thanks Colleen!
Healing Tomato says
It is good to have a family that enjoys your delicious gourmet food, even though they take it for-granted. It is hard to resist these delicious butter bars
Marye Audet says
I totally agree! 🙂
Laura says
That would have driven me bonkers too lol! Gotta love clueless husbands--I bet these bars rocked the party. Love the browned butter!
Marye Audet says
Thanks Laura!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Almond flour and brown butter and chocolate!!!! YAY!!! What a winning combination, so scrumptious. Would love these bars with afternoon tea.
Marye Audet says
Thanks Allie!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I think this is going to my my new go-to when my hubby needs to bring something into work! I'm always looking for that "knock your socks off" dessert 🙂
Marye Audet says
Yep - this will do it!
Christie says
My family does too. They don't realize how much time it can take to cook. These look so good I might have to save them all for myself.
Marye Audet says
Make two pans. Hide one. Works for me.:)
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
They look so yummy! I'm going to make them for my neighbor whenever she has her baby...any day now!
Marye Audet says
That's so sweet!
Marye Audet says
Right? OMG! It's crazy... LOL!
Marye Audet says
I hope you love them as much as we do.
Marye Audet says
🙂 ... Gooey yumminess is the best yumminess!
Marye Audet says
Yep, because they are so rich you can cut them quite small.
Marye Audet says
They are totally indulgent, Sara!
Marye Audet says
Ha! That will work!
Candice Siders says
I assume the brown butter is mixed in with the rest of the base layer??
Marye Audet says
Fixed. Thank you for catching that <3