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Simple gooey butter cake includes a crumbly cake crust with a gooey cream cheese topping that is completely addicting!

Gooey butter cake starts with simple ingredients for two gooey layers. If you like this recipe, be sure to try our Gooey Butter Cookies and Gooey Rolo Cookies.

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Slice of gooey butter cake on a white plate.

WHY WE LOVE GOOEY BUTTER CAKE!

Do you have “go to” dessert recipes you use all the time? This gooey butter cake is one of ours! Let me tell you why:

  • SIMPLE. This cake is very easy and is made with ingredients that most people tend to have on hand.
  • DELICIOUS. Everyone loves it. Chalk full of butter and cream cheese and powdered sugar (plus cake batter) – you can’t go wrong.
  • GREAT FOR PARTIES. Cut them up in tiny squares as dessert finger foods or bigger squares for a dessert. No matter what, it’s always popular.

This popular cake “accidentally” created in the 1930’s in St. Louis is a must-try!

Ingredients

  • yellow cake mix – The classic flavors of cake batter in this cake are from the yellow cake mix, but white cake mix is a close second.
  • eggs – Used in two different layers so take note of the division.
  • melted butter – We use unsalted butter but salted can work as well.
  • cream cheese – This helps create the gooey softness in this cake.
  • vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar
  • powdered sugar to sprinkle
Cake crust pressed into a glass baking dish.

Two Tasty Layers!

This simple butter cake comes together in no time for two delicious layers of gooey goodness.

  1. PREP. Grease a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. CRUST. In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter until smooth. Press into your greased 9×13 pan.
  3. TOPPING. Blend cream cheese, 2 large eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) until creamy and smooth. Pour and spread over the first mixture in your pan.
  4. BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown (middle may sink in a bit).
  5. TOP. Top with extra powdered sugar and ENJOY!

PRO TIP

To cut neat slices. Use a plastic knife to cut – they tend to slice right through cakes and brownies that have a fudgy texture with ease.

Spreading a cream cheese mixture on top of a butter cake crust.

Recipe Tips

This ooey gooey butter cake requires simple ingredients, but as always, using them correctly makes all of the difference!

  • Use a handheld electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment to combine all the ingredients.
  • Sift the powdered sugar to help eliminate any of the harder clumps that tend to form.
  • Lining the pan with parchment paper will help keep it from sticking.
  • The bottom layer should be much thicker than a typical cake batter and more like a soft dough. Use a rubber spatula or add a little olive oil to your finger to help press it evenly in the pan.
  • Top each slice with some fresh berries.
A butter cake baked in a glass baking dish.

Storing Info

  • STORE this gooey butter cake recipe at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
  • FREEZE this treat to eat at a later time by first wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap. Then keep it in a freeze-safe container or bag. It should last for 4-5 months in the freezer.

This is also a good make-ahead option. Just thaw it completely when you’re ready to serve and eat it.

A slice of ooey gooey butter cake on a white plate

More cakes to try:

4.99 from 515 votes

Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Simple gooey butter cake includes a crumbly cake crust with a gooey cream cheese topping that is completely addicting!
Servings: 12
Prep: 7 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 47 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • powdered sugar to sprinkle

Instructions 

  • Grease a 9×13 pan and turn oven to 350°F.
  • Blend cake mix, 1 egg, and butter until smooth. Press into your greased 9×13 pan.
  • Blend cream cheese, 2 eggs, vanilla and powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Spread over your the first mixture in your pan.
  • Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown (middle may sink in a bit).
  • Top with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

Video

Notes

STORE this gooey butter cake recipe at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
FREEZE this treat to eat at a later time by first wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap. Then keep it in a freeze-safe container or bag. It should last for 4-5 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 457mg, Potassium: 61mg, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 550IU, Calcium: 118mg, Iron: 1.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.99 from 515 votes (448 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




187 Comments

  1. Chris says:

    5 stars
    First attempt making Gooey Butter Cake. This recipe was perfect! I love that most of the ingredients are staples – the only item I needed to purchase was boxed cake mix. Used a 9 x 13 glass Pyrex dish. Baked 45 minutes to perfection. My daughter and I did a taste test while it was still warm (couldn’t help ourselves!). Absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. It’s a keeper!!

    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      It’s one of my favorites and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

  2. Rachel says:

    5 stars
    Came out perfectly! My son had this at a party and loved it, so he asked me to make it. Family approved!

  3. Lala says:

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  4. Tia says:

    5 stars
    This is easy and great has anyone tried tk add anything else different maybe chocolate cake mix ? I like to experience with different things and I know there are other people like me!! Please lmk if you made this any different

  5. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    So so good!! My husband’s aunt use to make this, but she called it cheesecake bars. They are delicious!

  6. Sanda says:

    4 stars
    Great recipe and reminds me of Heitzman bakery in Kentucky that makes a butter kuchen. Mmmm!!
    However, Way too sweet and that is with a half cup less. Will definitely make again but with 2 cups.

    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the positive comment, and I hope you can get the sweetness exactly where you like it!

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