Lemon Gooey Bars (aka: Lemon Gooey Butter Cake)

I made this dessert for a BBQ my parents had this week, and the recipe has already been sent out!

These are similar to the original lemon bar, that you are probably familiar with, but these gooey bars are sweeter and have a yummy bottom layer.

Enjoy!

Lemon Gooey Bars

For the Cake:
1 (18.25 oz.) box of lemon cake mix
1 egg
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted

For the Filling:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 
2 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 (16 oz.) box confectioners' sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
1/4 c. lemon juice (or use 2 fresh lemons, zested and juiced) 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.

Using an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg and butter. Mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside. 

Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and beat well. 

Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. 

Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. "Don't be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't bake past that point!" ~Paula Deen

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. (Serves 24)

For a lovely presentation: sprinkle some powdered sugar on top, and garnish with a strawberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries