I could write a full chapter on this dessert. It is the number-one choice in our restaurant.

　　

Ingredients

serves 15 to 20

　　One 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix

　　1 egg

　　8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

　　

Filling

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

　　2 eggs

　　1 teaspoon vanilla

　　8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

　　One 16-ounce box powdered sugar

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients and mix well. Pat into a lightly greased 13 × 9-inch baking pan. Prepare filling.

　　

Filling

Step 2

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add butter; beat. Add powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake mixture. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so do not overbake.

　　

Variation

Step 3

For the holidays, add a 15-ounce can of pumpkin to the filling; add cinnamon and nutmeg.

　　

Step 4

Add a 20-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple to the filling.

　　

Step 5

Use a lemon cake mix. Add lemon juice and zest to the filling.

　　

Step 6

Use a chocolate cake mix with cream cheese filling. Add chocolate chips and nuts on top.

　　

Step 7

Use a spiced carrot cake mix. Add chopped nuts and shredded carrots to the filling.

　　

Step 8

Use mandarin oranges, bananas, blueberries, or strawberries—just coordinate your extract flavorings.

　　

Step 9

Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 3/4 to 1 cup peanut butter and nuts to the filling.

　　Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics