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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.
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
Two Tasty Layers!
This simple butter cake comes together in no time for two delicious layers of gooey goodness.
- PREP. Grease a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- CRUST. In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter until smooth. Press into your greased 9×13 pan.
- 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.
- BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown (middle may sink in a bit).
- 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.
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.
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.
More cakes to try:
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
50 mins
White Texas Sheet Cake
30 mins
Coconut Poke Cake
3 hrs
Cream Puff Cake
1 hr 50 mins
Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Omg I just made this and it’s amazing!! I’m obsessed with it!! Reminds me of my childhood 🙌🙌. Mine turned out perfect and it was easy to make. I would share a picture if I could.
I’m delighted it turned out so well for you. Thanks for sharing!
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!!
It’s one of my favorites and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!
Came out perfectly! My son had this at a party and loved it, so he asked me to make it. Family approved!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
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
So so good!! My husband’s aunt use to make this, but she called it cheesecake bars. They are delicious!
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.
Thanks for the positive comment, and I hope you can get the sweetness exactly where you like it!