Irresistibly Soft Gooey Butter Cake Recipe Everyone Will Love

Soft, velvety, and melt-in-your-mouth decadent, this dreamy butter cake recipe promises pure baking bliss.

Every baker dreams of creating the perfect, heavenly dessert that captures hearts with its rich, buttery essence.

With just a few simple ingredients and some baking magic, you can craft a cake so tender it practically whispers comfort.

The dreamy butter cake recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Each slice promises a golden, delicate crumb that celebrates the classic simplicity of home baking.

Warm ovens and sweet aromas await, beckoning you to whip up this irresistible treat that’s sure to become a cherished favorite.

Your Step-By-Step Guide To Gooey Butter Cake

• Prepare Your Baking Station

Grab a 9×13 inch pan and coat it with butter or line with parchment paper. Set your oven to warm up at 350 degrees.

• Create the Base Layer

Mix cake mix, melted butter, and an egg until it forms a thick, sticky dough. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure it’s smooth and even.

• Whip Up the Creamy Topping

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, blending everything together. Gradually fold in powdered sugar until the mixture becomes luxuriously creamy and glossy.

• Layer and Bake

Pour the luscious cream cheese mixture over your cake base, spreading it gently to cover every inch. Slide the pan into the hot oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when the edges turn golden and the center has a gentle wobble.

• Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cake to cool completely inside the pan. When ready, slice into squares and sprinkle with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy. Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Baking Tips To Perfect Gooey Butter Cake

• Foolproof Baking Tricks: Easy ways to nail your Gooey Butter Cake
• Room Temperature Magic: Let cream cheese and eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, more consistent filling.
• No-Stick Secret: Use cooking spray with flour or generously butter your pan to prevent cake from sticking, guaranteeing perfect slice removal.
• Doneness Detective: Check cake's edges for golden color and center for slight jiggle – this indicates perfect gooey texture without overbaking.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare cake a day ahead and refrigerate, which actually enhances flavor and allows easier slicing.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace cake mix with gluten-free version for celiac-friendly treat; use low-fat cream cheese for lighter variation; substitute butter with coconut oil for dairy-free alternative.

How To Present Gooey Butter Cake

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this gooey butter cake with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or creamy cappuccino for a delightful morning treat.
• Decadent Dessert Plate: Serve chilled slices alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream, creating a luxurious and indulgent dessert experience.
• Perfect Party Presentation: Cut into bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative platter, making it an elegant and crowd-pleasing potluck or gathering dessert.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Slice into thin pieces and serve with a selection of herbal teas, transforming your casual tea time into a special culinary moment.

Keeping Gooey Butter Cake Soft & Tasty

• Smart Portioning: Cut cake into 9-12 neat squares for easy individual servings, perfect for gatherings or personal treats.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store covered in airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping cake's soft texture and preventing moisture loss.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to maintain freshness for 2-3 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Room Temperature Tip: Allow chilled cake to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore its delightful gooey consistency and enhance flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 331 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything You Need For Gooey Butter Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides a convenient, sweet base with a tender texture that creates the perfect foundation for the cake.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust ingredients, creating a smooth and cohesive base.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the crust together and provide structure.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, rich flavor and creamy texture that defines the signature gooey consistency.
• Eggs: Help create a silky, custard-like filling with structure and smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Unsalted Butter: Contributes to the richness and adds a subtle depth of flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create the signature gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet dusting that adds visual appeal and extra sweetness to the cake.

Tools To Nail Gooey Butter Cake

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect cake size and shape.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for preparing the crust mixture.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for creating the creamy filling.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps blend cream cheese and other filling ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for spreading mixtures evenly and scraping bowls.

Dreamy Butter Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Midwestern gooey butter cake delights with its rich, creamy texture and irresistible sweetness. St. Louis bakers have perfected this classic dessert that melts in your mouth and brings pure comfort to the table.

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper for effortless cake extraction.
2. Crust Formation: Merge cake mix, melted butter, and egg in a bowl, kneading into a dense dough. Press mixture evenly across the pan’s bottom, creating a uniform foundation.
3. Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese until silky, integrating eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Fold in powdered sugar, mixing until achieving a velvety, homogeneous texture.
4. Assembly: Gently spread cream cheese mixture across the prepared crust, ensuring complete and equal coverage.
5. Baking Process: Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 40-45 minutes until edges turn golden-brown and center sets with a subtle jiggle, indicating the quintessential gooey butter cake consistency.
6. Finishing: Allow cake to cool completely within the pan for proper setting. Slice into generous squares and optionally dust with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Sticking: Use parchment paper with slight overhang for effortless removal and clean cake extraction without breaking.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Avoid overmixing the cream cheese filling to maintain a light, smooth consistency and prevent dense, heavy results.
• Temperature Control: Let ingredients like cream cheese and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother blending and consistent texture.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different cake mix flavors or add extracts like almond or lemon to create unique taste profiles while maintaining the classic gooey butter cake structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 331
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 79 mg