Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Gooey Bars

Can we talk about how much is going on in these bars?  There is a layer of snickerdoodle gooey cake, then a layer of snickerdoodle cheesecake, then cinnamon chips, then more gooey cake, and finally, caramel sauce drizzled all over.  Can I just say "yum?!"

This was created because Stephen and I tied for last in our bowl sheet competition.  The winner gets to pick the meal, the loser gets to pick the dessert.  Well, Stephen and I tied for last (yes, I'm very proud of it) and we all chuckled/groaned, because there couldn't be more two opposite sets of tastebuds than ours.

I like chocolate. 
I like veggies.
I like pumpkin.
I like lots of spreads and dips and condiments. 
I really like food in general.

Stephen ... doesn't. 

But, he does like snickerdooodles.  And he does like helping in the kitchen.  (Generally, when you get someone to help you, they will be a lot more open to eating whatever you make.  It works, I've tried it many times)  So, Stephen and I had a brainstorm session where I sketched this out, asking for his approval.  He gave it, we made it, the family loved it.  I was impressed this could be as rich and decadent as it was without chocolate!

So let's break this down; the first layer is simply cake mix, butter, and egg mixed together.  It is your standard gooey cake mix base.  Then I added a hefty teaspoon of cinnamon, to give it the snickerdoodle flavor.

Then, there is our cheesecake, adding the smooth and creamy middle layer.  Simply cream cheese, sugar, and cinnamon.  Just make sure your cream cheese is softened, which you can do by letting sit out for 30 minutes or (because I never plan that far ahead) you can cut into 4-6 equal cubes and just heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds on half power.  Just spread it over the gooey cake layer. 

Finally, we sprinkle cinnamon chips (a new found love!) all over those two layers.  They melt into a river of smooth cinnamon heaven!  Add your reserved gooey cake mixture over that and drown it all in caramel sauce.  For all the layers, this is seriously easy peasy.  

I like rich. 

I like gooey. 

I like cheesecake. 

I like cinnamon chips. 

I like caramel. 

So does Stephen. And so will you. 

 

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Gooey Bars

Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life

Yield: 12 servings

 

Cake Layer:

1 box cake mix (butter or white)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 egg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

 

Cheesecake Layer:

1 (8 oz.) box cream cheese (you can use low fat)

1 Tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Other layers:

1/2 cup cinnamon chips

1/4 cup caramel sauce

Preheat oven to 350. 

Stir cake layer ingredients together.  Spread into a 9x9 pan, reserving one cup  of cake mixture. 

Brag softened cream cheese with sugar and cinnamon. Spread over cake mix layer. 

Sprinkle cinnamon chips evenly over cheesecake. 

Press remaining cake mixture over cinnamon chips. 

Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over reserved cake mixture. 

Bake for 25 minutes. 

Cool. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.