If you’re craving a dessert that combines rich chocolate goodness with a delightfully gooey center and a satisfying crunch of pecans, then you simply have to try this Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser with its fudgy base, creamy filling, and nutty accents all baked into one irresistible bar. The perfect balance of textures and flavors will keep you coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds). Let me walk you through why this dessert has quickly become one of my all-time favorites to whip up for friends and family alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun, and thankfully this recipe keeps it wonderfully simple. Each component plays an essential role, from the chocolate cake mix providing a rich foundation, to the cream cheese creating that signature ooey gooey texture, and the pecans adding just the right touch of crunch and nuttiness.
- Chocolate cake mix: Acts as the chocolaty, moist crust that grounds the entire bar.
- Large eggs: Binding agents that give structure to both crust and filling.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps keep everything wonderfully moist.
- Cream cheese, softened: Key to achieving the creamy, gooey middle everyone adores.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling while giving it that irresistibly smooth texture.
- Chopped pecans: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that balances all the sweetness.
- Optional powdered sugar for dusting: Adds a pretty, snowy finish if desired.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. In a large bowl, combine your chocolate cake mix, one large egg, and half a cup of melted butter. Stir until everything is fully blended into a thick, chocolaty dough. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your pan — this rich, fudgy crust forms the base that holds all the ooey gooey magic.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Now for the star of the show: the gooey filling. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it reaches a perfectly smooth consistency with no lumps. Then add the remaining two eggs, vanilla extract, and the other half cup of melted butter. Keep mixing until everything is creamy and combined. Gradually add in the powdered sugar — mixing thoroughly each time — until the filling is thick, smooth, and dreamy.
Step 3: Add Pecans and Assemble
Stir the chopped pecans into your luscious cream cheese filling. If you want to take the flavor up a notch, lightly toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty aroma. Spread this filling gently and evenly over your chocolate crust, smoothing it out with a spatula to ensure every bite has that perfect balance of goo and crunch.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The key secret here is to watch for the edges to set firmly while the center remains slightly gooey — that’s the defining texture of this dessert. Avoid overbaking or the center will firm up too much and lose its signature ooey gooey character. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing to keep their shape.
How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a beautiful and tasty touch that highlights the deep chocolate color while balancing the sweetness. For an extra flourish, try drizzling a bit of caramel sauce or sprinkling mini chocolate chips on top. These simple touches make your Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
These bars are rich and indulgent, so pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream perfectly complements the warm, gooey texture. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a cold glass of milk also pairs beautifully, making the experience even cozier and more delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving at a party, consider cutting the bars into bite-sized squares and skewering them with a pecan or adding a fresh raspberry on top for a fancy finger dessert. You can also layer them into parfait glasses with whipped cream for a stunning and decadent treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to a week. Keeping them covered preserves the moisture and gooey texture that makes these bars so addictive.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They can last up to three months frozen and thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to indulge again.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. The bars soften and the gooey center becomes irresistibly melty again. Just be careful not to overheat, or they could dry out slightly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds can be great alternatives if you want to switch things up, though pecans do offer a particularly sweet and buttery flavor that complements this recipe beautifully.
Is it okay to use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar is preferred because it blends smoothly without grittiness, giving the filling that signature creamy texture. Granulated sugar won’t dissolve as well and could affect the gooeyness.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
You can try a gluten-free chocolate cake mix as the base, but check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious!
What’s the best way to prevent overbaking?
Keep an eye on the bars during the last 10 minutes of baking and gently shake the pan — the center should still jiggle a bit while the edges are set. Remember, residual heat will continue to cook the bars as they cool.
Can I add chocolate chips into the filling?
Yes, chocolate chips can add extra bursts of melted chocolate, making the bars even more decadent. Just fold them in gently before spreading the filling over the crust.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe is truly a dessert lover’s dream come true—simple to make, packed with flavor, and boasting that perfect mix of chewy, gooey, and crunchy textures. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or a cozy night in, these bars bring smiles and satisfied sighs with every bite. I can’t wait for you to try making this at home and sharing the joy with those you love!
Print
Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Chocolate Pecan Ooey Gooey Butter is a decadent, gooey dessert combining a rich chocolate crust with a creamy, buttery filling studded with crunchy pecans. Perfect for chocolate lovers, this easy-to-make treat boasts a luscious texture and a delightful balance of gooey center and crisp edges.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the Chocolate Crust: In a large bowl, mix together the chocolate cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter until fully combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer.
- Prepare the Filling Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup melted butter, mixing well to combine.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture until it becomes smooth, thick, and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate Pecans: Stir in the chopped pecans evenly throughout the filling mixture to add texture and flavor.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the prepared chocolate crust in the baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly gooey for that signature ooey gooey texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dessert to cool completely before slicing into squares. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish before serving.
Notes
- Do not overbake to maintain the moist, gooey center texture.
- Lightly toasting the pecans before adding them enhances their flavor.
- The dessert firms up slightly as it cools, making slicing easier.
