Ooey Gooey Chess Bars Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick baking spray.
• Add the cake mix, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and 2 of the eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add 1 stick of the butter and mix until just combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan with an offset spatula.
• Beat the cream cheese in a separate bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or clean the first bowl) on medium speed until light and smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running on medium-low speed, add the remaining 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Once combined, add the remaining 1/2 stick butter and beat until smooth. With the mixer running on low speed, add the confectioners' sugar, one spoon at a time, until combined, scraping down the sides occasionally. Evenly pour the mixture over the cake layer and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
• Bake until the edges are puffed and golden brown and the center is just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, and then chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours.
• For the royal icing: Add the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 6 tablespoons water to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Transfer the chilled cake to a baking sheet and remove the foil. Spread an even layer of royal icing on the cake with an offset spatula and decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into 24 bars (4 lengthwise strips and 6 crosswise strips).

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set aside an ungreased 9- by 13-inch pan.
• For the crust, place the cake mix, melted butter, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for two minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. The batter should come together in a ball. With your fingertips, pat the batter evenly over the bottom of the pan, smoothing it out with your fingers until the top is smooth. Set the pan aside.
• For the filling, rinse and dry the lemons well. Grate the zest from the lemons and set aside; you should have about 2 teaspoons. Cut the lemons in half, and squeeze into a small bowl; you should have about 6 tablespoons. Set the juice aside.
• Place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl that was used to make the crust, and with the same beaters (no need to clean either) blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, melted butter, and cornmeal and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and add the confectioners' sugar. Beat on medium speed until the sugar is well incorporated, 1 minute more. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with the rubber spatula so that the filling covers the entire surface and reaches the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the oven.
• Bake the cake until it is well browned but the center still jiggles when you shake the pan, 45 to 47 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool, 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
• Store this cake, covered in aluminum foil, at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze it, wrapped in foil, for up to 6months. Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Steps:

• Bottom: Melt margarine in 9X13"pan.
• Beat egg into margarine, then sprinkle in cake mix.
• Mix well with fork and press down in pan until evenly spread.
• Topping: Beat the frosting ingredients well and pour onto cake mixture.
• Bake at 350º for 40-45 minutes.