Ooey gooey butter cake is a sweet treat made from a box cake mix and is a classic dessert made with just a few ingredients. It’s one of the easiest cake recipes around!
It tastes so much like the original Paul Deen recipe that you’re going to be over the moon happy!
I remember having this cake growing up way before the internet and cake recipes were so huge! That was a long time ago and things have changed. I still love the original ooey gooey cake but being able to use a dry cake mix really does cut down on the time!
My cousin, Lea Ann was the queen of coming up with the most amazing dishes – everything from Hershey Kiss Cookies to Pasta to desserts, like this – Gooey Butter Cake!
With a buttery chewy crust and an ooey-gooey center, this butter cake recipe will be one to keep in your recipe book! No one will ever know that it’s not an authentic gooey butter cake recipe.
Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
You may be wondering just What Is Gooey Butter Cake if you’ve never had it. I get it! It sounds odd but it’s actually really good AND easy to make.
This cake has two distinct layers:
– the cake layer that forms the crust
– the gooey layer on top is the cream cheese/sugary layer
These “Gooey Cake Bars” deserve a big glass of milk to wash it down with. It really is a delicious cake and quite the rummy dessert.
To make Gooey Butter Cake you only need a few ingredients! Since it’s one of my favorite desserts, I don’t just keep this for a special occasion. This is one of those dessert recipes that you keep all the ingredients from the grocery store on hand to make this rich dessert.
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Ingredients for Gooey Butter Bars
- Yellow cake mix – You can always change up the cake mix to a chocolate cake mix or any flavor at a later point in time.
- Egg – Used as a binder for all the ingredients.
- Butter – Of course, you need butter for that buttery flavor!
- Cream cheese – Adding this helps with that creamy cream cheese mixture!
- Confectioner sugar – Perfect for adding sweetness.
- Vanilla extract – Adds so much delicious flavor.
Variations
Here are a few ingredient substitutions and variations you may want to try.
- Use almond extract in place of vanilla for a subtle nutty taste.
- Stir in chopped pecans or chopped walnuts for a crunchy butter cake.
- Try making gooey chocolate butter cake by using chocolate cake mix.
How to Make Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars
- Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, mix the yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker on my favorites!) melted butter, and egg together. When mixed well, press into a greased 9×13 pan.
- Pour into the pan: In another bowl, mix together the cream cheese, remaining eggs, and confectioner’s sugar. Mix well until light and fluffy with a hand mixer. Add to the top of the “crust” in the 9×13 pan.
- Bake: Bake and that’s it! This easy cake recipe doesn’t even require frosting. Trust me, you won’t miss it. This single recipe is the perfect way to make gooey butter cake squares.
How to Store Gooey Butter Cake
Wrap the butter cake in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. It will keep for 2-3 days. You can also put the butter cake in the fridge to keep for up to a week. I like to cut the gooey cake into squares and store them in an airtight container. Anytime I want a slice, I can just take one out! I love easy desserts like this.
FAQs
You could add a little sprinkle of powdered sugar on the top or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but this cake is fine just as is. I also think that whipped cream or even fresh berries would be great with these gooey bars.
You bet. You can easily add a lemon cake mix to turn this into a lemon gooey butter cake. You can also add a red velvet cake mix or even make a pistachio ooey butter cake, too.
You can also add some white chocolate chips or even a drizzle of sea salt caramel for a real crowd pleaser!
Make sure that you store the cake in an airtight container once the cake cools. You can then store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
This simple recipe is great because it uses a cake mix and is fast and simple to do. You’ll love being able to add minimal ingredients to get that classic ooey gooey cake flavor and taste!
If you make a different flavor, let me know! I love hearing about new creations and ideas.
More Easy Cake Recipes
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- To a bowl, add the cake mix, egg and 1/2 cup of melted butter. Mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13 baking pan.
- In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla and 8 tablespoons butter and beat together until combined well.
- Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well until light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake mix crust layer.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Do not overbake. It will be a little “gooey” in the center.
Video
Nutrition
I’m sorry to report this recipe is a complete failure. The problem is the extra stick of butter in the topping. Unfortunately the recipe says to add it and the video doesn’t but it was already in the oven before I saw that.
So sorry about that, Joanna! Thank you for the feedback.
This is a very easy cake to make, I make all the time, not just holidays. So delish, especially if ADD different ingredients to to car certain ones, I have added toffee bits to a spice cake to the cream cheese mixture, or a caramel cake second step the filling.,but to me the plan one is best. But I have made many all different kinds but is very easy to make.
I have a vanilla cake mix. Can I use it instead of yellow cake mix?
Your video does not show the second stick of butter for the filling/topping. Other recipes do not have that second 1/2 c butter. Which is incorrect, the video or the printed recipe?
Easy …. Looks delicious! More butter the better!
Should you refrigerate these, or is it safe to keep them at room temperature for a few days?
I have never left a comment nor rating but this was deserved. Unbelievably delicious. The crust was a nice base for the creamy filling. We topped with strawberries and whipped cream. It will be a family staple. Thank you.