This delectable Gooey Butter Cake has a rich, buttery, soft cake crust and a gooey cream cheese top. It is made with seven easy ingredients in two easy steps. Having this cake prepped and in the oven in less than ten minutes makes it perfect for potlucks, family reunions, neighborhood shindigs, and bridal and baby showers.
You will be so pleased with the results. You will fall madly in love with this family-friendly, easy dessert recipe. If you like this easy dessert recipe, try oatmeal bars, old-fashioned oatmeal cake, and lemon bars.
If you have never tried a Gooey Butter Cake, you must treat yourself!! This is one of those regional recipes. It is a St. Louis original recipe, or so I have been told. It is still up for debate whether a German baker at a South St. Louis bakery or a baker named John Koppe, also from St. Louis, created this treat.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Cake mix – yellow cake mix or yellow butter cake mix. See below for variations.
- Butter – unsalted or salted
- Eggs – large, three of them to be exact
- Cream cheese – go for the gusto and use full-fat
- Vanilla extract – use the pure stuff
- Powdered sugar – also known as confectioners’ sugar
How to make Gooey Butter Cake
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by buttering a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then, in a large bowl, mix a yellow butter cake mix, a stick of melted butter, and an egg. Once combined, pat the dough into the prepared baking dish.
Using a stand or hand electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese in another large bowl until smooth and lump-free. Then, turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar in several increments, blending just until incorporated.
Pour that layer on top of the cake batter already in the baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven for about 45 minutes. Cool before slicing, and if desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Preparation Tips
- Coat the baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent the crust from sticking and to make removing this soft, gooey cake from the pan easier.
- Soften the cream cheese and bring the eggs to room temperature.
- Load the cake on the middle rack in the center of the oven
- For best results on the top layer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Then, turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Keeping the mixer on low, add the vanilla and powdered sugar (in intervals), mixing just until incorporated.
Flavor variations
- German Chocolate: Substitute a German chocolate cake mix for the butter cake mix on the bottom. Fold 3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans and 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes into the top layer.
- Strawberry: Fold two cups of chopped fresh strawberries into the top layer.
- Pumpkin: Increase eggs to three for the top layer; after adding eggs and vanilla on low, add 15 ounces of pumpkin puree, 1 stick of melted butter cooled slightly (1/2 cup), and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Then, proceed with adding the powdered sugar.
- Lemon: Substitute a lemon cake mix for the butter cake mix on the bottom. In the top layer, omit the vanilla extract, but add three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze, cover with a couple of layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. If they are individual slices, place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer zipper bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
To cut clean slices, spray the knife with nonstick spray and wipe the knife clean with a paper towel after each slice.
You can not use the toothpick method to test for doneness on this cake since it is a gooey cake. 40-45 minutes does the trick with a nice golden brown crust and a light golden brown color for the center.
Any yellow butter cake mix will do. It does not have to be a specific one. My mother always swore by Betty Crocker, but I prefer Duncan Hines. See above for more flavor variations.
More delicious desserts
Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 yellow butter cake mix or yellow cake mix just the cake mix
- ½ cup butter melted
- 3 large eggs
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar plus more for dusting if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Pat gently into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Using a stand or hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump free. Turn the mixer to low and 2 eggs one at a time and mix just until incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract. Mix in powdered sugar in several increments blending just until combined. Pour this mixture on top of the layer in the baking dish. Do NOT mix the two layers together. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
- If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar when fully cooled.
Video
Notes
- Coat the baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent the crust from sticking and to make it easier to remove this soft, gooey cake from the pan.
- Soften the cream cheese and bring the eggs to room temperature.
- Load the cake on the middle rack in the center of the oven
- For best results on the top layer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Then, turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Keeping the mixer on low, add the vanilla and powdered sugar (in intervals), mixing just until incorporated.
Nutrition
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Karter
This is my favorite gooey butter cake recipe. It is so easy to make that even my tween daughter can handle it. I love making it for potlucks and family parties. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Karter!
Juliet
I love this cake. I think I have made this a dozen times since you posted it. It has quickly become a family favorite. The best cake for taking to gatherings. It is always a huge hit.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Juliet! I am glad that everyone likes it.
Sadie
Oh, this gooey butter cake recipe is like a dream come true! A rich buttery crust paired with a gooey cream cheese top. It is quick and easy to make for parties, potlucks, and bake sales. Thanks for the decadent recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sadie!
Mel E
I knew I’d like this from the title. The cake was droolworthy. I made it for my game night friends and they loved it.
Toni
Oooh this certainly was gooey and buttery in the best way! What a rich and delicious dessert…definitely one I will make again and again. Not great for my diet, though! LOL
Beth Pierce
I understand about the diet, thing!
Layla
This masterpiece was done in less than 45 minutes. It was easy, delicious, and a new family favorite. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Layla!
Chris A
This gooey butter cake was so yummy. I never knew it was this easy to make. We love this rich decadent dessert. It is rich so cut yourself a small piece to start with.
Yara
I had not tried a gooey butter cake before so I was very intrigued to make this recipe. I am so glad that I did, it turned out really well and the whole family loved it. It is a new household favorite.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Yara! I am glad that you tried it.
Lisa T
This gooey butter cake was amazing! I made it yesterday with the kiddos. It is just that easy. It is rich so a little piece goes a long way.
Hannah
Such an unbelievably delectable gooey butter cake recipe! So easy to make and everyone loves it. I wonder if you can freeze this?
Beth Pierce
You most certainly can!
Kat
Your Gooey Butter Cake recipe is an absolute delight! The steps were easy to follow. Thank you for sharing those flavor variations. It has me excited to try them all. Plus, your helpful tips make baking this family-friendly treat a breeze. We loved all the buttery goodness. Thanks for sharing this sweet sensation! 😊🎂
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Kat! I am glad that you liked it!
Stella
This cake is so darn good and gooey! I made it for our last family get together and the gang has already asked me to make it again. Everyone loves it!
Cecilia
Made this gooey butter cake, and it’s a slice of heaven on a plate! The gooey texture, the sweet goodness—it’s irresistible!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Cecilia! We love it too! It is so delicious!
Sandra
Made this over the weekend and it was delicious! Such a good dessert!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Sandra!
Ella
Absolutely delicious! I made this and my family loves it! Thanks for the great cake recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. Ella!
Julia
This was so tasty and easy to prepare! It baked up perfectly and hit that sweet spot just right. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Julia!