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gooey butter cake

Northwestgal avatar
Recipe by
Vickie Parks
@Northwestgal
Renton, WA

Gooey Butter Cake is a classic dessert that originates from St. Louis. This version uses a cake mix, so it's a little easier to work with than some older recipes that use yeast and corn syrup. Don't overbake; the top will have a sticky syrup in the center, but it's supposed to, it's what gives this cake its name . . . Gooey Butter Cake. If all you can get is 15.25oz cake mixes, that should work OK in this recipe. But if you want to use a full 18.25 oz, go ahead and use the 15.25 oz box and just add 3oz (or 6 Tbsp) of cake flour in step #3 when blending the cake mix and butter.

yield 10 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For gooey butter cake

  • CAKE BASE
  • 18 1/4 oz pkg
    yellow cake mix (see note in intro about using 15.25oz cake mixes)
  • 1 lg
    eggs
  • 8 Tbsp
    unsalted butter, melted
  • TOPPING
  • 1 (8-oz) pkg
    cream cheese, softened
  • 2 lg
    eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 8 Tbsp
    unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 (16oz) pkg
    confectioners' sugar

How To Make gooey butter cake

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • 2
    Remove about 4 to 5 Tbsp of Confectioner's sugar from package, and set it aside for a later step (to dust the top after baking).
  • 3
    Combine cake mix with 1 egg and 8 Tbsp of the melted butter with electric mixer until a thick batter forms. Pat the batter into the bottom of the baking dish.
  • 4
    Beat cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth. Add 2 eggs, vanilla, and remaining (8 Tbsp) of butter, and beat until well blended. Add remaining (approx. 15oz) Confectioner's sugar, and beat again with electric mixer until well blended and smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the cake batter.
  • 5
    Bake in oven for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't overbake - the center should be a little gooey and sticky. Let cake cool completely.
  • 6
    After the cake cools, sprinkle the reserved (4-5Tbsp) Confectioners' sugar on top before slicing and serving.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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