Chocolate Walnut Gooey Butter Cake

By á-1554

Freezes well.

Ingredients

• For the crust:
• 1 pkg. (18.25 ounces) plain chocolate cake mix
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• For the filling:
• 1 pkg. (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 3/4 confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preparation

Step 1

 
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Set aside an ungreased 13x9 inch metal baking pan.
2. Make the crust: place the cake mix, butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. the batter should come together in a ball. Using your fingertips, pat the crust evenly over the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the baking pan, smoothing it down with your fingers. Scatter the chocolate chips and walnuts on top of the crust. Set the pan aside. 
3. Make the filling: place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl that was used to make the crust and, using the same beaters ( no need to clean either), beat with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy,  30 seconds. Stop the machine and add the 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla 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. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the filling into the baking pan and spread it with the rubber spatula so that it covers the entire surface and reaches the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the oven.
4. Bake the cake until the edges have set but the center still jiggles when you shake the pan, 40- 45 minutes. Transfer the baking pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool for 30 minutes, before cutting it into bars and serving.