If you’re looking for a dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite, the Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe is going to be your new favorite treat. Combining the bright sweetness of strawberry cake mix with luscious white chocolate chips and a creamy drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, these bars soak up all the gooey goodness you could wish for. The texture is a perfect balance between cakey and fudgy, with each bite bursting with layers of flavor and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth sensation. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a go-to for celebrations, cozy nights, or whenever a chocolate-strawberry craving hits!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in making your bars irresistibly delicious. From the soft butter that creates that tender crumb to the sweet tang of the strawberry cake mix bringing a pop of color and flavor, every component builds on the next to create pure dessert magic.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, very soft): This gives the bars their buttery richness and soft texture.
- Strawberry cake mix (one 15.25-ounce box): Adds vibrant fruit flavor and the perfect base for the gooey bars.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind the ingredients together and gives the bars structure.
- White chocolate chips (1 cup): Melts into luscious pockets of sweetness throughout the bars.
- Sweetened condensed milk (about 8 ounces): Creates that signature gooey, creamy layer that makes these bars truly special.
How to Make Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×9-inch pan with aluminum foil. Spray it generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. This prep ensures your bars bake evenly and come out perfectly gooey without any mess.
Step 2: Cream the Butter
In a large bowl, beat the very soft unsalted butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until it’s smooth and creamy. This step infuses the batter with rich moisture and helps create that tender crumb we all love.
Step 3: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the strawberry cake mix and egg to the creamed butter, then beat on low speed until everything is combined. The batter will seem quite thick and crumbly at first, but keep mixing until it transforms into a tacky, thick dough. This is the foundation for the gooey bars texture.
Step 4: Form the Base Layer
Take roughly half to two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into your prepared pan. You can spread it out with a spatula or your hands—just make sure they’re sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This layer is the sturdy yet tender base that will support all the delicious fillings.
Step 5: Add the White Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly over the base dough layer. As they bake, these chips soften and melt slightly, creating wonderful pockets of creamy sweetness throughout the bars.
Step 6: Drizzle Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour about 8 ounces of sweetened condensed milk—roughly 60% of your can—over the chocolate chips. It’s okay to eyeball this part; the milk adds that luscious gooey texture that makes these bars stand out.
Step 7: Top with Remaining Dough
Break up the remaining dough into approximately 1-inch pieces and scatter them over the condensed milk layer. Press down lightly but don’t worry if the coverage isn’t complete—this irregular top helps create delightful textures once baked.
Step 8: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Place your pan in the oven and bake for 27 to 30 minutes. The edges will set and turn light golden brown while the center may jiggle slightly—that’s exactly what you want. This signals that gooey magic is happening inside.
Step 9: Cool Completely Before Cutting
Once baked, let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 2 to 3 hours, or ideally overnight. This step allows the bars to firm up enough for clean slicing while preserving that luscious gooey texture you crave.
How to Serve Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh strawberry slices on top can add a charming touch. For an extra indulgent moment, drizzle some melted white chocolate or a little strawberry sauce right before serving. These simple additions elevate the presentation and enrich the flavors.
Side Dishes
Pair these gooey bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk also balances the sweetness beautifully and makes your dessert experience feel complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into bite-sized squares for a party platter or arrange them on a decorative tray with fresh strawberries and white chocolate shards. You could even transform these bars into dessert parfaits by layering chunks with whipped cream and strawberry compote in clear glasses—for a stunning and fun twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator to extend freshness for up to a week. Proper storage helps maintain their tender texture without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars later, they freeze wonderfully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. When stored properly, they can last up to three months and still taste like they just came out of the oven.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave individual bars for 15 to 20 seconds until warm and soft again, or let them thaw at room temperature before serving. This quick heat brings back that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth delight that makes the Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I substitute the strawberry cake mix with another flavor?
Absolutely! While strawberry adds a fresh, fruity twist, you can experiment with other flavors like red velvet or even chocolate cake mix to customize the bars to your liking.
Do the bars need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily, if you plan to eat them within a few days. However, refrigeration will help maintain freshness beyond that and is especially helpful in warmer climates.
Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips?
You can, but white chocolate offers a creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the strawberry flavor. Milk chocolate will give a richer, more traditional chocolate taste.
Is it okay if the center of the bars jiggles after baking?
Yes! A slightly jiggly center means the bars will be deliciously gooey instead of dry or cakey. Just let them cool completely to set firmly before slicing.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Definitely! Just use a larger pan or bake in two pans. Keep an eye on the baking time, as it might need a few extra minutes depending on the depth.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try the Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe and experience how effortlessly this dessert can brighten any day. The combination of rich white chocolate, sweet strawberry, and that irresistible gooey texture is truly something special. Once you make them, I bet you’ll be sharing this recipe with everyone you know. Happy baking and even happier indulging!
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Chocolate Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 37 minutes (plus 2-3 hours cooling)
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
These Chocolate Gooey Bars combine a rich strawberry cake mix base with melty white chocolate chips and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, creating a delightfully decadent dessert with a gooey center and a tender crumb. Perfectly baked to a golden edge with a soft, slightly jiggly center, these bars are an easy-to-make treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (very soft)
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box strawberry cake mix
- 1 large egg
Filling and Topping
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- About 8 ounces (60% of 14-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk (fat-free recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and spray it lightly with cooking spray; set aside.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, beat the very soft unsalted butter using a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add Cake Mix and Egg: Add the strawberry cake mix and one large egg to the bowl. Beat on low speed until the mixture forms a tacky, thick dough, moving from pea-sized crumbles to a more cohesive dough.
- Form Base Layer: Spread between half and two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with a spatula or your (spray-coated) hands to form the base layer. Reserve the remaining dough.
- Add White Chocolate Chips: Evenly sprinkle the cup of white chocolate chips over the dough base layer.
- Drizzle Sweetened Condensed Milk: Drizzle about 60% of the sweetened condensed milk (approximately 8 ounces) evenly over the white chocolate chips.
- Add Remaining Dough: Drop the rest of the dough in approximately 1-inch pieces over the sweetened condensed milk, lightly pressing them down. It’s normal that the dough does not completely cover the surface.
- Bake: Bake for 27 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden brown and the center is mostly set but may still jiggle slightly when you gently shake the pan.
- Cool: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 to 3 hours, preferably overnight, until firm enough to cut into bars.
Notes
- Using foil to line the pan makes cleanup much easier and helps with lifting the bars out after baking.
- Spraying your hands with cooking spray makes handling sticky dough easier.
- The center may look slightly underbaked when you take the bars out, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Fat-free sweetened condensed milk can be used to reduce calories but traditional versions work well too.
- Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
