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Gooey Butter Cake

Gooey butter cake, a classic St. Louis dessert, boasts an irresistible contrast of textures. A simple cake base made with yellow cake mix, butter, and eggs provides a crisp, slightly sweet foundation for the star of the show: a luscious, gooey topping made with cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, and an abundance of powdered sugar. It’s a rich, indulgent treat perfect for special occasions and satisfying any sweet tooth.

  • Total Time: 60-70 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Cake Base

  • 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 large egg

Topping

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar)

Important Notes:

  • Room Temperature: For optimal results, ensure the cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them blend smoothly.
  • Boxed vs. Homemade Cake Mix: A boxed cake mix brings convenience. If you prefer, you can substitute the boxed mix with a homemade yellow cake mix recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar: This is essential for the gooey texture. Don’t substitute with granulated sugar.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Cake Base Preparation

  1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish for easy removal later.

  2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients form a crumbly dough-like consistency.

  3. Press into Pan: Transfer the dough into your prepared baking dish. Use your hands to evenly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan, creating a thin, compact base layer.

  4. Optional: Edge Shaping: For a slightly thicker crust along the edges, use your fingers to gently press the dough slightly upwards around the sides of the pan.

Step-by-Step Topping Preparation

  1. Cream the Base: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

  2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the two eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until evenly combined.

  3. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while beating the mixture on low speed. Continue beating until the topping is light, fluffy, and well-combined.

  4. Pour Over Cake Base: Carefully pour the prepared cream cheese topping over the cake base in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently spread the topping into an even layer.

  5. It’s Ready to Bake: There’s no need to mix the topping with the base layer; the magic happens in the oven!

Notes

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened cream cheese and room temperature eggs ensures a smooth topping.
  • Flavor Variations: Explore adding lemon zest, chocolate, or pumpkin spice to the topping. Fold chopped nuts or berries into the topping for extra flavor and texture.
  • Dietary Adaptations: There are many vegan and gluten-free gooey butter cake recipes available online.
  • Author: Juana M. Benedict
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg