Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
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Ooey Gooey Butter Cake is a delicious dessert popular in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States but made famous by Paula Deen when she created a simpler version that didn’t require a yeast mixture.
It’s made with a simple yellow cake mix, butter, eggs, and cream cheese and baked until the topping is golden brown and gooey. The cake is sweet and buttery, with a rich, cheesecake-like flavor. It’s an ultra-rich dessert your friends and family are going to love!
One look at an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, and you’ll understand why it’s called that. This treat has two unique layers:
The Buttery Crust: The bottom layer is a buttery, slightly crispy crust that is the perfect base for the gooey goodness above. It’s made from a mixture of butter, sugar, and cake mix, creating a wonderful treat.
The Gooey Filling: The star of the show, the top layer, is the gooey, creamy filling that makes this cake extraordinary. It’s a blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and eggs, creating a rich, sweet, and velvety layer with a hint of vanilla. It’s so soft and gooey that it practically melts before you swallow.
Ingredients
Cake Mix – I use yellow, but you can use white without much of a difference. If you want to change things up, you can use a chocolate or spice cake mix. I sometimes use a lemon cake mix for Easter, it’s also amazing.
Butter – I always use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter or margarine. There is no need to add any extra salt, there is plenty in the cake mix.
Eggs – You’ll need two eggs for the cake and another 2 for the filling/topping.
Vanilla – Vanilla extract is used in the cake and the filling; be sure to only use half in each.
Cream cheese – Full-fat cream cheese will give an ultra-rich flavor, but any version can be used.
Powdered sugar – This may be called confectioner’s sugar in your store.
How to Make a Gooey Butter Cake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by coating it with baking spray. Alternatively, you can grease and flour the pan or cover with parchment paper. Since I’m usually serving from the pan, I tend to just use the spray.
Combine the dry cake mix, melted and cooled butter, two eggs, and one teaspoon vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
Mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Press the cake crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Make the gooey cream cheese layer in a separate medium bowl by blending cream cheese, the remaining two eggs, and the rest of the vanilla extract with an electric mixer.
Gradually add powdered sugar until you achieve a smooth consistency.
Pour the creamy mixture over the cake batter layer in the baking dish.
Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the cake batter.
Place the pan in the preheated 350 degree F oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Pro Tips for Making a Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
- To enhance the flavor, consider utilizing full-fat cream cheese.
- If you find yourself without a 9×13 inch baking dish, you can use two 8×8 inch baking dishes instead. Just make sure to reduce the baking time to 25-35 minutes.
Storing
While the cake is best when enjoyed fresh, you can extend its shelf life by securely wrapping it with plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
You can also store this in the refrigerator, tightly sealed for up to 5 days.
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How To Serve Ooey Gooey Cake
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake is excellent on its own, but it can be made even better with a few extras:
A Sprinkle of Confectioners Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar gives the cake an classy touch and adds to its sweetness.
A Little Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream pairs perfectly with the cake.
A Scoop of Ice Cream: For those with a giant sweet tooth, you can add more richness with vanilla ice cream.
More Southern Desserts
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Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 1 boxed yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 4 large eggs 2 for the cake, 2 for the filling
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 for the cake and 1 for the filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by spraying with baking spray.
- Add the dry cake mix, melted and cooled butter, 2 of the eggs, and teaspoon of the vanilla to a medium bowl.
- Mix until well combined.
- Press mixture into prepared baking dish.
- In a separate small bowl, cream together cream cheese, the last 2 eggs, and the rest of of the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar until smooth. Pour mixture over cake layer.
- Place the cake into the preheated 350 Degree F oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool completely before serving.
Notes
If you don’t have a 9×13 inch baking dish, you can use two 8×8 inch baking dishes instead. Just adjust the baking time accordingly.
This cake is best served fresh, but it can also be stored wrapped tighly with plastic or wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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This recipe was written and tested by a human.
Editor: Oliver Baysinger
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.
