Gooey Butter Cake Is Famous For A Reason

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With a name like Gooey Butter Cake, you know you're destined for something indulgent and delicious. Made with a simple list of ingredients (hello, boxed cake mix!), this decadent treat comes together super easily—all in a trusty 9x13" baking dish. Gooey butter cake is comprised of two distinctly delicious layers—one chewy base layer made from a boxed yellow cake mix and one gooey, velvety, oh-so luscious cream cheese layer. When you combine the two together into one bite, it's the perfect pairing. And the best part of all? Gooey butter cake is incredibly easy to whip up. The hardest part is waiting for the cake to cool before digging in—but trust us, it's worth the wait!

Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake cut into bars to serve
Photo:

Molly Bolton

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Yield:
2 dozen

Ingredients

Cake Layer:

  • 1 (15.25 oz.) package yellow cake mix

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 large egg, at room temperature

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 1/4 tsp. almond extract, optional

Cream Cheese Layer:

  • 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 4 cups powdered sugar, plus more for dusting

Directions

  1. Prepare oven:

    Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the lower third. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Gather all ingredients.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Bars ingredients

    Molly Bolton

  2. Prepare the cake layer:

    Add cake mix, butter, egg, vanilla, and almond extract to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until just combined. The batter should be thick, like cookie dough.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake making the cake layer

    Molly Bolton

  3. Add cake batter to baking dish:

    Press the batter into an even layer in the prepared dish.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake pressing the cake layer into the pan

    Molly Bolton

  4. Prepare the cream cheese layer:

    In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until very creamy, about 2 minutes.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat in melted butter and vanilla until combined and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed, until combined. If you notice a few lumps, increase the mixer to medium speed and beat until smooth, about 1 minute more.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake making the cream cheese layer

    Molly Bolton

  5. Add cream cheese mixture to baking dish:

    Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and smooth into an even layer.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake spreading the cream cheese layer on the cake layer

    Molly Bolton

  6. Bake and cool:

    Bake in the lower third of the oven until golden and just set, 40 to 45 minutes.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake after baking

    Molly Bolton

    Allow the cool completely before cutting into squares Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

    Southern Living Gooey Butter Cake sliced into bars to serve

    Molly Bolton

    Wait to cool completely before cutting into bars; can place uncovered in the fridge to speed up the cooling process. These are also delicious chilled, so popping them in the fridge isn't a bad idea.

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