This classic gooey butter cake recipe is a dessert that has ingredients of a cake but is served up like a brownie. With it’s buttery crust and flaky, gooey, cream cheese-based top, it’s one of the best dessert recipes out there!
As a native of St. Louis, I grew up on this dessert. Longing for a taste of home, I made this for my family years ago and it has since become a family favorite. This recipe is a must try!
Why is it Called Gooey Butter Cake?
Gooey butter cake got it’s origins in St. Louis in the 1930s when a baker accidentally reversed the measurements for butter and flour. Instead of letting it go to waste, especially during the Great Depression, the baker decided to sell it.
The local legend of a dessert was born as customers flocked to it. In this recipe, I will teach you how to make gooey butter cake.
How to Make Gooey Butter Cake
To make this treat, you will need ingredients for the two layers. For the first layer, you’ll need a box of yellow cake mix, an egg, and a half cup of melted butter. The top layer requires an 8 oz brick of softened cream cheese, teaspoon of vanilla, two more eggs, and four cups of powdered sugar.
Putting the Ingredients Together
In a medium sized mixing bowl, put in yellow cake mix, one egg, and stick of melted butter. Mix together and pour into a greased 9×11 baking dish. In a separate mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, two more eggs, a teaspoon of vanilla, and four cups of powdered sugar. Mix until smooth, with no lumps. Pour on top of first layer, completely covering the edges and corners.
In your preheated oven or grill (indirect heat), place baking dish inside and cook at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
How Do I Know When Gooey Butter Cake is Done?
As with most cake or brownie recipes, it’s best to use a toothpick to poke into the center of the gooey butter cake to make sure it is done. Unlike cake or brownies, you want to see a little batter on the toothpick. Hence, the “gooey” in front of “butter cake.”
Once pulled out of the oven or grill, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar on top while it rests. Not that this recipe needs any more sugar, but it does add to the aesthetic of the dish.
How Long Do I Let it Sit and Rest?
While it may be tempting to eat right away, this ooey gooey butter cake needs to completely cool to room temperature. Otherwise, it will be too runny due to it’s gooey nature. Place on a cooling rack for at least two hours. If bottom of pan still feels warm, let cool for longer.
How Long Is Gooey Butter Cake Good For?
If you happen to have leftovers, you can keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. I usually keep mine in a resealable plastic bag on the kitchen counter.
Can I Make this on the Grill?
Being the BBQ blogger that I am, I like to make this on the grill with cherry wood over indirect heat. This gives it a kiss of smoke flavor that adds a little more depth to the flavor profile.
Other Dessert Recipes
The Recipe!
Classic Gooey Buttter Cake
Gooey butter cake is a classic St. Louis dessert that combines a buttery crust with a gooey, cream cheese center with a flaky top. Dense with flavor and a classic for a reason!
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 eggs, divided
- 1/2 Cup melted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If making on grill, use cherry wood over indirect heat.
- In medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Pour into 9x11 greased baking dish.
- In another medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, two eggs, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth. Pour over first layer in baking dish.
- Place in oven or grill and bake for 40 minutes. Use toothpick to poke center to determine doneness. Aim for toothpick to have some batter still on it for the "gooey" aspect.
- Place on cooling rack and let completely cool before serving. This will take at least two hours.
Notes
- Can also be baked in 8x8 baking dish. May take an additional 10 minutes to cook due to thickness of cake.
- Let gooey butter cake completely cool before serving. Since dish is meant to be a little gooey, serving while hot will make it runny.
- To add a deeper flavor profile, cook on grill over indirect heat to get a subtle smoke flavor.
- Can be stored at room temperature in airtight container for up to five days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 80 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 330Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 35gProtein: 4.5g
NOTE: Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
