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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:
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.
The most delicious and simple dessert! The texture and flavor are both incredible! So yummy!
Awe, thanks so much for sharing that! I appreciate it! So glad you liked it!
This is one of our favorite cake recipes now! It only needs a few ingredients but so good and tasty!
It’s one of our favorites too! So glad you enjoyed it!
This cake is insanely delicious! I wanted to save some but my kids ate it all!
I’m so happy you and your kids loved it so much! Thanks for sharing!
This cake just melts in your mouth!! It is incredibly soft & one of my favorite, non-chocolate cakes!
I have made this cake so many times!! It’s a hit every time!! My family and friends love it!! A wonderful simple recipe !!! Thanks so much!!
You are so welcome!! Thank you so much for sharing that!
YUM ????
It is 🙂 Thank you & I hope you try it!!
Hi, Kristyn, I love the recipe and have made the bars several times but I can’t seem to cut them as beautifully as you do. Would you mind sharing your secret for cutting the bars? AND even if i cut them well, I can’t seem to get them cut into equal sizes. Ive tried rulers, it makes it worse, for me… Any help would be super appreciated.
Might try a plastic knife, it works great on warm brownies.
Made them yesterday and shared them with my colleagues. Damn these are a piece of heaven in your mouth. Soooo good. Definitely going to make these again.
Thx
LOL!! So glad they were a hit. They are so delicious and gooey, huh?? Thank you for stopping by!
This was so simple and fast to prepare! Everyone enjoyed them, thanks so much! I can’t wait to try making the Ooey Gooey Chocolate Rolo Cookies next!
Thanks, Monica! So glad you liked them. You definitely need to try the cookies next – they are DELISH!