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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.

Slice of gooey butter cake on a white plate.
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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 sugarย 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 350ยฐF.
  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 350ยฐF 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

  • STOREย 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 youโ€™re ready to serve and eat it.

A slice of ooey gooey butter cake on a white plate

More cakes to try:

5 from 503 votes

Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
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 

Instructions 

  • Grease a 9×13 pan and turn oven to 350ยฐF.
  • 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 350ยฐF for 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown (middle may sink in a bit).
  • Top with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

Video

Notes

STOREย 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

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 503 votes (448 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




160 Comments

  1. Jen says:

    The middle was very runny, I had to throw it away??? Why was this ??

  2. R mast says:

    5 stars
    Made it and served it warm with vanilla ice cream and Berry compote. It was so good.

  3. Sherry mennis says:

    I sprinkled a few choc chips on top hope it turns outOK. Thanks for the recipe. S.

  4. Hira says:

    5 stars
    Made it for the first time and it was a hit with everyone! Itโ€™s perfect and easy to make!

  5. Nancy says:

    5 stars
    This recipe for Gooey Butter Cake is absolutely perfect. Made the recipe this morning, it is so easy and delicious. Forty minutes is just the right amount of time.

  6. Laura Bolar says:

    Good#One

  7. BeachGma says:

    My meme used this recipe and I have used it for years also. We add a little lemon juice to the middle. There are other recipes that include extra butter in the topping that is not needed. It works with less sugar also. This is perfect as is but for those asking no extra butter needed.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing!! So glad you love the cake recipe. We love it too! ๐Ÿ˜‰