Looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s equal parts pretty and irresistible? These Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars are the answer to your sweet cravings — and the best part? You only need five ingredients and 35 minutes from start to finish.
With a soft, chewy strawberry cake base, creamy white chocolate chips, and a drizzle of gooey condensed milk, these bars are a dreamy combination of flavors and textures. They’re the perfect make-ahead dessert for potlucks, bake sales, holiday trays, or just a Tuesday night treat.
🌟 Why You’ll Love These Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars
- ✔️ Only 5 ingredients – minimal prep, big flavor
- ✔️ No mixer needed – just stir, layer, and bake
- ✔️ Perfectly gooey center with chewy edges
- ✔️ Vibrant color and sweet berry flavor that looks bakery-made
- ✔️ Freezer-friendly and make-ahead approved
🛒 What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
- 1 (15.25 oz) box strawberry cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 8 oz sweetened condensed milk (about 2/3 of a 14 oz can; fat-free works too)
👩🍳 How to Make Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars
1. Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick spray. This helps with easy lifting and clean cutting later.
2. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add in the cake mix and egg, and beat until a thick, tacky dough forms. It may look crumbly at first — keep mixing!
3. Assemble the Layers
Press about two-thirds of the dough into an even layer in the bottom of your pan. Sprinkle the white chocolate chips evenly over the top.
Then slowly drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the chips, covering about 60-70% of the surface — don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect.
Break the remaining dough into small chunks and scatter it on top, gently pressing down. You want some of the gooey milk to peek through!
4. Bake to Gooey Perfection
Bake for 27–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is just set (a slight jiggle is okay!). Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2–3 hours, or refrigerate overnight before cutting.
💡 Tips for Perfect Gooey Bars
- Let them cool fully before slicing – they need time to firm up
- Use a plastic knife to cut cleanly through the gooey center
- Line your pan with foil or parchment for easy removal and serving
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top after baking for a sweet-salty twist
🍓 Variations & Add-Ins
Want to mix things up? These bars are super versatile:
- Swap white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- Try a vanilla or chocolate cake mix base instead
- Fold in freeze-dried strawberries for added flavor and texture
- Drizzle with white chocolate glaze or cream cheese frosting once cooled
❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- To freeze: layer bars between parchment in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp for 1–2 hours
✨ Final Thoughts
With their bright pink hue, creamy white chocolate, and gooey texture, these Strawberry White Chocolate Gooey Bars are everything you want in a fast, fabulous dessert. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these bars never fail to impress.