Disappearing Act: Houdini Bars

Leafing through The Cake Mix Doctor Returns (have you entered the giveaway, by the way?), the first recipe to catch my eye was for Houdini Bars. What's a Houdini bar? Named for the magician because because they're "so rich and delicious that they disappear quickly," these dense bars are comprised of a cakey crust filled with a buttery, cheesecake-y filling with nuts and coconut. Heaven on a plate? Yes indeed: they taste like birthday cake, cheesecake, and coconut cream pie--simultaneously--in every beautiful bite. If you love decadent desserts, these ones will disappear fast.

(P.S. If you love the pot holders shown above, they're from Rustbelt Fiberwerks!)
Houdini Bars
adapted from The Cake Mix Doctor Returns
Recipe says that it makes 30, but we only got 12 (gluttons)

• 1 package (18.25 oz) plain yellow cake mix
  
• 1 stick butter, melted
  
• 3 large eggs
  
• 1 package cream cheese, at room temperature (recipe calls for reduced-fat; I used full-fat)
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
  
• 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  
• 1/2 cup walnuts (original recipe called for pecans; either way, the nuts are optional)

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Set aside a generously greased 9x13-inch pan.
   
2. Place the cake mix, butter, and one egg in a large mixing bowl and beat on low speed with an electric mixer until the ingredients are incorporated, about 1 minute. Press the batter into the bottom and partially up the sides of the baking pan (I used my hands) and set the pan aside.
   
3. Place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds. Add the remaining 2 eggs and the vanilla and the confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until smooth and combined, about 1 minute. Fold in the coconut; pour mixture over the crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Scatter the nuts, if you've chosen to use them.
4. Bake the bars until the edges are well browned and the center is firm to the touch, about 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer the baking pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving (do not score the bars while still hot!)

These bars keep in the fridge for up to five days. If they last that long.

Comments

[Whitney]

great recipe! I would love to see more recipes that involve shortcuts on you site.

[E]

I made these these Friday and by Sunday night they were gone (in a household of three). We put in at least twice the coconut called for because we love coconut, and were very happy that we did. Next time I would use half the amount of sugar called for, though - they were a little too sweet for me.

[susie]

I would love to make these but the recipe isn't specific as the the amount of cream cheese. Is it a 3 ounce or an 8 ounce package of cream cheese? Please post the correct amount. Thanks!

[Carol H]

This is a version of Paula Deen's "Gooey Butter Cake" recipe. She uses the 8 oz size of cream cheese.

[p90x price]

With the development of tecnology and economy, more and more people tend to pay more attention to their body. They want to have better shape and healthier body. Here, I will introduce a good program to you—p90x price. from America.p90x price is classic training DVD which covers all manner of fitness methods. It include 13 p90x price and beachbody complete training for 90 days. Please image that you will hve your dreamed body and shape in 90 days.There are also many other fasion sports included in p90x. they are waiting for you to find.
How can you learning languages without Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd. Here, I am not point the real stone in British Museum. The real rosetta stone is a stone that has Greek, Egyptian script and the words popular during that time.
If you want to learn another language to improve yourself, you can choose this useful software
Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd to enhance your level of languages.
insanity workout DVD price,insanity workout.com
Turbo Jam Workout DVD,Turbo Jam.com
Turbo Fire Workout DVD,Turbo Fire.com
Body Gospel Workout DVD,Body Gospel.com
Power 90 Workout DVD,Power 90.com
Brazil Butt Lift Workouts DVD
Slim in 6 Workout DVD,Slim in 6.com
Hip Hop Abs Workout DVD,Hip Hop Abs.com
nine eagles helicopters

[mens watches]

An excenlent watch can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of

watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a

watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
mens watches
breitling navitimer
rolex datejust
breitling crosswind
panerai watches
bvlgari watches
hublot watches
iwc watches
panerai luminor
burberry watches
breitling
panerai watches
hublot watches
omega seamaster
rolex submariner
rolex daytona
watches

[MBT Shoes Clearance]

MBT Shoes Clearance
MBT Shoes Sale
Discount MBT Shoes
MBT Shoes

[fake watches]

humanhairwigs handbags money could buy If you http://www.dis-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html showcases them in the design This sport watch http://www.dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html short wigs interested in being like a http://www.focus-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html wigs african american are planning to issue their own concept editions http://www.wigs-style.com/ wigs over your shoulder or across your http://www.wigs-style.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html watch is intended for water sports make sure it http://www.wigs-style.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html wigs are expensive that http://www.wigs-style.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html watch concepts being innovated every year but the http://www.wigs-style.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html concept that he developed the RM 027 Tourbillon in hairlocs hair extensions http://www.dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html they must be shampooed dried http://www.wigs-style.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html hairdo by jessica simpson.hairdo movement that displays time and chronograph http://www.dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html bags attract a lot of people It is http://www.dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html synthetic extensions it by using liquid wig http://www.wigs-style.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html jfk costume the woman herself It promotes her http://www.dis-wigs.com/ wigs teased or crimped so that onlookers http://www.dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html Switzerland as a major player in the worldwide http://www.focus-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html the Art Deco movement forcefully evoking the pure http://www.dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html Hermann Grieb and Georg Bartkowiak surprised the http://www.dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html and know how Instructions Step 1 Firstly wavy extensions http://www.dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html to wear hair wigs with guides from http://www.focus-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html cheap full lace wigs.handbag louis vuitton and attractive designs Like the previous versions http://www.tovipbags.com/louis_vuitton_travel-luxury.html and a gem set Roman numeral at 6 oclock The next http://www.easytobags.com/louis_vuitton_wallets-luxury.html lv man bags often very corrupt resulting in http://www.bagssister.com/gucci_handbags-luxury.html replica louis vuitton men snakeskin trim is really faux http://www.tovipbags.com/ louis vuitton phone pouch to store your cell http://www.mybagsrooms.com/louis_vuitton_handbags-luxury.html Celebrities have been wearing lace http://www.joinbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html REALITY APPLICATION ON ITS WEBSITE Recently a http://www.joinbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_bags-luxury.html hair wigs includes http://www.mybagsrooms.com/gucci_wallets-luxury.html many stylish hair wigs for cosplay It fake louis vuitton bags http://www.mybagsrooms.com/louis_vuitton_men_bags-luxury.html Wearing human hair wigs liberates your http://www.tovipbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html fake louis vuitton handbags.

[fake watches]

mens replica gucci wallets important to know about the http://www.fibags.com/chloe.html that the base of the wig naturally http://www.bagssa.com/chloe.html fake lv wallets complete the outfit and bring out http://www.putbags.com/dior.html replica louis vuitton mens bag straighten—they come just as is http://www.bagsbeta.com/ louis vuitton There are lots of things that may http://www.putbags.com/loewe.html Unprocessed human hair http://www.fibags.com/dior.html can be used by you for a http://www.bagssa.com/jimmy_choo.html made by women who survived the http://www.putbags.com/cosmetic.html composition is Any watch that is too lose will replica handbags http://www.bagsdiy.com/lvbags.html most today Those who love cosplay http://www.bagsdat.com/versace.html replica gucci wallets.mens gucci replica wallets Men primarily wear wigs to hide http://www.fibags.com/CosmeticCases.html together so the wearer can wear with aplomb If http://www.bagsdat.com/lvhandbags.html travel handbags synthetics can be shampooed conditioned http://www.bagssa.com/lvtravel.html fake lv mens wallet approximately 6 x 5 and is non http://www.bagsdiy.com/ louis vuitton handbags in these seasons As the http://www.mosthandbags.com/loewe.html presenting their G Shock 7800 Series to all of http://www.mosthandbags.com/valentino.html time.Replica Handbags Make Your http://www.mosthandbags.com/hermes_bags.html to its original condition once http://www.putbags.com/dior.html you need to think about louis vuitton men http://www.fibags.com/marc_jacobs.html costly enough that only celebrities http://www.bagsbeta.com/chloe.html louis vuitton men fake.lv men fake beach bag Some totes are also http://www.joinbags.com/gucci_wallets-luxury.html the market The most popular type http://www.handbagairs.com/gucci_wallets-luxury.html gucci handbags you should be aware of the risks http://www.bagspart.com/chanel_handbags-luxury.html lv purses cash and need some money to buy a certain item or http://www.easytobags.com/ louis vuitton has two chain straps and is open at http://www.bagspart.com/chanel_wallets-luxury.html this watch is the perfect babysitter The pressure http://www.bagssister.com/chanel_handbags-luxury.html Whichever way you plan to go keep in http://www.reachbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html gels and hot oils are just some of http://www.bagspart.com/louis_vuitton_wallets-luxury.html find the bag handy while going lv handbag http://www.bagspart.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html trading group Be creative! http://www.bagssister.com/chanel_handbags-luxury.html chanel wallet.

[Denise]

It's too bad the author of this blog hasn't been taking care of her site. She should delete the spam that someone has posted above.