The Perfect Gooey Butter Cake Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

My grandma’s cherished gooey butter cake recipe always sparks joy at family gatherings.

Sweet memories flood back with every creamy slice.

St.

Louis bakeries popularized this delightful dessert decades ago.

Cream cheese and butter blend into a silky, rich base that melts in you mouth.

Powdered sugar dusts the top like a delicate snow.

Each bite delivers pure comfort and nostalgia.

You’ll want to savor every decadent moment of this classic treat.

Why Gooey Butter Cake Is So Loved

• Effortless Baking Delight: This gooey butter cake requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners who want to create a show-stopping dessert without complex techniques.
• Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: With just 45 minutes of total preparation and baking time, this recipe is ideal for spontaneous gatherings, potlucks, or satisfying sudden sweet cravings.
• Indulgent Texture Sensation: The cake delivers an irresistible contrast between a crisp cake mix crust and a supremely creamy, soft filling that melts in your mouth, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using simple pantry staples like cake mix, cream cheese, and powdered sugar, this recipe offers maximum flavor with minimal shopping and preparation effort.

Ingredients For Gooey Butter Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides the foundation for the crust with a classic sweet flavor. Pre-made mix makes preparation quick and easy.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust together. Unsalted butter recommended for better flavor control.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent for the crust. Fresh eggs work best.

• Cream Cheese: Creates the signature gooey texture and tangy flavor. Full-fat cream cheese recommended for best results.
• Eggs: Helps to set and stabilize the filling. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds depth of flavor. Pure vanilla extract preferred over imitation.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the filling. Sifted sugar prevents lumps.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency to the filling. Melted butter integrates more easily.

• Powdered Sugar: Optional dusting for extra sweetness and presentation. Helps create a classic bakery-style look.

How To Make Gooey Butter Cake At Home

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Canvas

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it some love with a generous butter coating or a smooth parchment paper lining.

Step 2: Create the Delectable Crust

• Cake mix
• Melted butter
• Egg

In a medium mixing bowl, blend these ingredients until they transform into a thick, promising dough. Use your fingers or a spatula to press the mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a solid foundation for pure deliciousness.

Step 3: Whip Up the Dreamy Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter
• Powdered sugar

In a large bowl, start by beating the cream cheese until it becomes silky smooth. Introduce eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, mixing until they become best friends. Gradually shower in the powdered sugar, stirring until the mixture reaches a creamy, luxurious consistency that begs to be tasted.

Step 4: Marry the Layers

Tenderly pour the cream cheese mixture over your waiting crust. Use a spatula to spread it into an even, tempting layer that promises pure indulgence.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide your creation into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a center that’s set but still has a gentle jiggle. The magic is in not overbaking – you want that signature gooey middle that makes this cake legendary!

Step 6: Cool and Celebrate

Patience is key! Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. When the moment arrives, slice into squares that reveal the cake’s irresistible layers. For an extra touch of decadence, dust the top with a snowfall of powdered sugar.

Best Tips For Gooey Butter Cake Success

• Prevent Crust Sticking: Generously grease the baking pan or use parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing of the butter cake.
• Achieve Creamy Filling: Ensure cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to create a smooth, lump-free mixture that blends perfectly.
• Master the Gooey Center: Watch the baking time closely – remove the cake when edges are golden but center still has a slight jiggle for that signature gooey texture.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate or lemon to create unique twists on the classic gooey butter cake.
• Perfect Powdered Sugar Finish: Sift powdered sugar over the cooled cake for an elegant, professional-looking presentation that adds a touch of sweetness.

How To Keep Gooey Butter Cake Fresh

• Preserve your delectable Gooey Butter Cake by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Keep the cake fresh for up to 5 days by covering it with plastic wrap or placing it in a sealed container.
• Bring the cake to room temperature before serving for the most delightful texture and flavor.
• Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for longer storage, lasting up to 3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Tasty Things To Eat With Gooey Butter Cake

• Pair with Sweet Sips: Complement the rich, gooey texture with a chilled glass of moscato wine or a creamy vanilla milkshake that echoes the cake's decadent sweetness.
• Match with Fruity Contrast: Balance the buttery cake with a tart raspberry coulis or fresh strawberry compote, cutting through the richness and adding a bright, refreshing note.
• Enhance with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to amplify the dessert's luxurious, soft texture and provide a cool counterpoint.
• Brew the Perfect Coffee: Enjoy with a robust espresso or a smooth cappuccino, whose slight bitterness will beautifully offset the cake's intense sweetness and provide a delightful sensory experience.

Ways To Add A Twist To Gooey Butter Cake

• Chocolate Lover's Version: Swap the vanilla cake mix with a chocolate cake mix for a rich, decadent chocolate base. Add cocoa powder to the filling and sprinkle chocolate chips on top before baking for an extra indulgent treat.
• Fruit Fusion Cake: Incorporate fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries into the cream cheese filling. Scatter some fruit on top of the batter before baking to create bursts of fruity flavor throughout the cake.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the crust for added texture. Sprinkle toasted nuts over the top of the cake after baking to create a crunchy, nutty finish that complements the gooey center.
• Seasonal Spice Remix: Blend warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the filling. Use a spice cake mix as the base to enhance the cozy, aromatic profile of this classic dessert.

FAQs About Gooey Butter Cake

• What makes this Gooey Butter Cake so special?

This cake is a classic Southern dessert known for its incredible creamy, soft texture with a crispy crust. The contrast between the dense bottom layer and the rich, gooey cream cheese topping creates an irresistible flavor experience that’s both sweet and decadent.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix for this recipe?

While yellow cake mix is traditional, you can experiment with white or butter cake mix for slightly different flavor profiles. Just ensure you use a standard boxed cake mix to maintain the right consistency and texture.

• How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Look for golden edges and a center that’s set but still slightly jiggly. The cake shouldn’t look completely firm – a little wobble is perfect! If it’s too solid, you’ve overbaked and might lose that signature gooey texture.

• Is this dessert difficult to make?

Not at all! This recipe is actually super simple and beginner-friendly. With just a few ingredients and basic mixing steps, even novice bakers can create a professional-looking and delicious dessert that will impress everyone.

Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Midwestern charm shines through this classic Gooey Butter Cake, blending rich cream cheese and velvety cake base into a delightful dessert. Sweet nostalgia meets simple pleasure, inviting you to savor each creamy, indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups (907 grams) powdered sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (226 grams / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation Components:

• None

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lightly coating a 9×13-inch dish with grease or lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
2. Craft the foundational layer by combining cake mix, melted butter, and egg in a medium mixing bowl, kneading until a cohesive, dense dough emerges. Gently press and distribute the mixture uniformly across the pan’s bottom, creating an even base.
3. Construct the luscious filling by whipping cream cheese in a large bowl until silky smooth. Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter, blending thoroughly. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, continuing to mix until the mixture achieves a velvety, uniform consistency.
4. Delicately cascade the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust, using a spatula to ensure an equal distribution across the entire surface.
5. Transfer the assembled dessert to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), allowing it to bake for 40-45 minutes. Watch for golden-brown edges and a center that sets yet retains a slight wobble – the hallmark of a perfectly executed gooey butter cake.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, enabling it to set properly. Once cooled, slice into generous squares and optionally dust with a delicate veil of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• For the most tender crust, use room temperature butter and mix just until ingredients combine to avoid tough texture.
• Prevent sticking by generously greasing the pan or using parchment paper with overhang for easy removal.
• Check doneness by gently shaking the pan – the center should have a slight wobble like soft custard, indicating perfect gooey consistency.
• Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free alternatives for celiac-friendly version, ensuring same rich, decadent results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg