A St. Louis classic, this Gooey Butter Cake starts with a cake mix and adds cream cheese, powdered sugar and gooey butter. It is a dessert that always gets rave reviews and is a favorite! End your dinner with this dessert, your family will thank you.
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake is what you think it is, ooey and gooey. It starts with a cake mix which helps the making process go easier.
It is a simple cake with only a handful of ingredients. The two key ingredients, butter and cream cheese help to give it that gooey-ness that everyone enjoys.
Where does gooey butter cake come from?
Gooey butter cake comes from St. Louis. Being an Illinois gal, we make it to St. Louis often and love the city. (Fitz's anyone??) This cake was actually made by accident and has become a favorite in the area and beyond!
Some make the cake base from scratch using cake flour, I prefer to use a cake mix.
Cake mix
Traditionally, the cake mix is a yellow cake mix. I, however, love to venture out of the box (literally) and try other cake mix flavors. I have found (and I used in this recipe) a butter cake mix works well and tastes great.
Certainly, you can use either and either will help this cake recipe be a standout.
I have used cake mix as a base for other recipes such as Gooey Butter Cookies and Cookies and Cream Butter Cake.
Ingredients
- Yellow cake mix (or butter cake mix)
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
The ingredients are very basic and simple. It is also just a mix together and put in a pan type of recipe, which everyone enjoys.
The steps
First, the base layer will need to be mixed and put in the pan.
I find it best to use a hand mixer for this recipe, or you can use a stand mixer. Mixing by hand is okay, but it does take some time, especially for the cream cheese layer. It doesn't have quite the same amount of smoothness as a mixer can do.
Then, spread the cake base in a greased 9x13 pan.
For the cream cheese layer
The cream cheese layer consists of cream cheese, eggs and powdered sugar. The sweet, the creamy and the binder is what it comes down to.
I use the same bowl for both base and top layer as it saves me a bowl to wash later. You can use a different bowl if you prefer, I would rather use one.
When that is completely mixed together (using a mixer), the batter will be smooth. Spread it carefully over the bottom base layer in the cake pan. It should spread easily.
Bake
The gooey butter cake should be baked in a 350 degree oven for about 35-40 minutes or until top is lightly golden brown. Take note that this cake rises quite a bit then will fall slightly after you pull it out of the oven. Test the doneness of the cake with a toothpick.
FAQ
Oh yes. Talk about a twist to this recipe. Chocolate is a fun alternative to the yellow cake mix.
No, it doesn't need to be refrigerated. You can if you want by placing it in an airtight container and putting it in the fridge. You can just cover it and leave it on the counter.
Pin for later!
📖 Recipe
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 box cake mix yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup butter or margarine
For the Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Mix together 2 eggs, butter and cake mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- The batter will be thick. Spread on the bottom of a greased 9x13 cake pan. Set aside.
- In the same mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar and 2 eggs.
- Pour on top of the mixture in the cake pan. Spread it out evenly and carefully.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until top is a light brown.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top, if desired.
Britni
I think any cake is good with butter but to call it a gooey butter cake? Yep, I'm in. Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party!
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Sarah
It is sooo good. I hope you like it! :-)
Amber Neal
wow! I bet this is good!! Thanks for coming by and linking up this week for MMM link up party!!
Sarah
Thanks for the link up party! I appreciate the work you put in. :-)