The best Gooey Butter Cake recipe, a sweet and rich breakfast danish. It’s quick, it only needs 10 minutes prep to make, and can be prepared ahead of time. You are going to love this traditional and authentic St.Louis cake! Perfect for breakfast, dessert, brunch or a mid afternoon treat!
St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake has been served for years both as a breakfast danish and as dessert. Sweet, rich and oh so good! It can be made from scratch or with a box of yellow cake mix.
It is a flat and dense cake made that is dusted with powdered sugar. The bottom layer is made from cake batter and the top is made from a mixture of eggs and cream cheese.
To Make Gooey Butter Cake You Will Need!
Simple pantry ingredients is all you will need to make this tasty treat!
- Yellow cake mix
- Butter
- Eggs: Free run / organic and fresh is preferable
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar
How To Make This Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9×12″ pan.
- Mix cake mix, butter and eggs until thick and smooth.
- Creating a slight wall, spread mixture in pan {best with your hands}.
- Mix the remaining ingredients on low until smooth. Pour over cake mixture. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top to garnish.
- Bake 45 minutes, leaving it slightly gooey.
- Garnish with sprinkles of powdered sugar, cool and serve.
The History Of The Gooey Butter Cake
Gooey Butter Cake may have been made famous by Paula Dean, but it originated in St. Louis. It was first made in the 1930’s in error by a baker who reversed the proportions of butter and flour. Gooey butter, intended for danishes and stollens was smeared on top. It instantly became a hit.
How Long Does The Cake Keep?
I enjoy serving this cake for out of town guests because it’s quick and easy to make and can be prepared in advance. The cake will last between for 1-2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze the cake for up to a month by wrapping it in plastic wrap or in a large freezer bag.
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe Variations
While the traditional gooey butter is our family favorite, we also really love the Chocolate Peanut Butter Gooey Butter Cake, Brown Butter Gooey Butter Cake and Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake as well.
We St. Louisans even make Gooey Butter Cookies and Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cookies. All things Gooey Butter are a staple at any bakery in this city and there’s good reason for it – it’s ridiculously good!
Top Tips To Make This Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
- Be sure to grease your pan so that the cake doesn’t stick.
- Bake the cake in a pre-heated oven for the best results.
- Once baked, the cake should remain slightly gooey.
Be sure to check out these other tasty sweet treats!
- Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Banana Cake Recipe
- Peanut Butter Cookie Cake
If you try this recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too! For more easy recipes and simple living ideas, subscribe to my newsletter!
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Gooey Butter Cake
The best Gooey Butter Cake recipe, a sweet and rich breakfast danish.
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings (hover to scale): 15
Calories: 369.86kcal
Ingredients
Layer 1
- 1 Golden Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
Layer 2
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 c powdered sugar (1 pound)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9x12" pan.
- Mix cake mix, butter and eggs until thick and smooth.
- Spread and press mixture in pan (with the back of a spatula or your hands).
- Mix the remaining ingredients on low until smooth. Pour over cake mixture. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top to garnish.
- Bake 45 minutes, leaving it slightly gooey. You'll notice a slight crust on top rather than a jelly texture.
- Garnish with sprinkles of powdered sugar, cool and serve.
Notes
You can adjust bake time to fit whatever pan size you have 9x13, 8x11, etc
Nutrition
Calories: 369.86kcal | Carbohydrates: 61.01g | Protein: 3.34g | Fat: 13.11g | Saturated Fat: 7.64g | Cholesterol: 65.64mg | Sodium: 366.61mg | Potassium: 49.21mg | Fiber: 0.41g | Sugar: 46.74g | Vitamin A: 439.67IU | Calcium: 94.29mg | Iron: 0.95mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @JulieBlanner or tag #JulieBlanner
Yum!! This looks amazing!
Thanks, Eden! I hope your week is off to a great start!
Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to make this! It looks delicious!
Thanks, Celia! It’s heavenly. Dangerously heavenly!
i had this in st. louis. it’s delish!
You won’t regret it! We can eat it morning, noon and night!
How do I get a printable version?
I just updated it Anne! It was an older recipe before I started using recipe cards. Thanks for your patience & enjoy!
This will be on my table this Easter! Thanks very much for making it soooo easy. :o)
Looks so delicious! I’ll be trying it soon.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
This looks SO delicious!! Too bad it’s still bathing suit season! Still want to try it anyway! Thanks for the temptation!
xo E + J
OH This is my favorite cake in the world!!!! YUM
Would you believe ive never had the pleasure of eating this cake? 🙂 although ive seen many a recipe and you may have given me the final push needed to just MAKE it finally! gorgeous photos too!