Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake in 55 Mins

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. Mix on low speed just until combined; do not overmix to preserve the fudgy structure.
4. Press the chocolate mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a spatula.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and pale.
6. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
7. Sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to avoid lumps, then stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is velvety and glossy.
8. Pour the topping over the chocolate base and spread evenly to the edges.
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are set and slightly golden, but the center still has a slight jiggle.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan to allow the center to set.