Sweets

St Louis Gooey Butter Cake

0 comments

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s rich, indulgent, and utterly irresistible, try my St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. This simple cake features a unique combination of a dense, buttery base topped with a creamy, gooey layer that melts in your mouth. It’s ideal for family brunches, dinners, special occasions, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving a slice of pure comfort. A classic Southern dessert the whole family will love.

If you enjoy this cake, try my Gooey Butter Cookies, which have a similar profile and are similarly addicting. And make sure to also try this Watergate Cake! SO good!

Growing up in Southern Illinois, St. Louis was always the “big city” that we went to for major events. When I graduated from high school, I moved to St. Louis and spent 8 very happy years there. There are so many great foods that are associated with St. Louis—toasted ravioli, provel cheese, Mayfair salad dressing, and gooey butter cake! A tender cake layer topped with a creamy layer and dusted with powdered sugar. Simple to make and quite addicting!

a slice of St Louis gooey Butter Cake on a blue plate

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s a classic St. Louis dessert that’s rich and buttery.
  • Super quick and easy to make with just a few ingredients you probably already have at home.
  • It’s even better the second day so perfect for making in advance.
  • Perfect for any occasion, from casual family get-togethers to special celebrations or date-night.

Ingredients

  • Yellow cake mix – Any brand works fine. You can also use a white cake mix if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Large eggs – Room temperature eggs mix better with the rest of the ingredients and result in a smoother batter.
  • Melted butter – I recommend salted butter to balance out the sweetness of this cake. Use high-quality butter here.
  • Powdered sugar – If you’re out, you can blend granulated sugar in a blender to make a simple powdered sugar substitute.
  • Cream cheese, softened – Make sure it’s fully softened to avoid lumps in the topping. I recommend full-fat cream cheese here. You can use a dairy-free cream cheese if you prefer.
  • Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract provides the best flavor.

How to Make St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

This recipe is super quick and easy to whip up, making it perfect even for beginners. For the full printable recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan and set it aside.
  2. Mix together the yellow cake mix, 2 large eggs, and melted butter until smooth. Spread evenly in the prepared baking pan.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat together powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and 2 large eggs until well combined.
  1. Spread the topping mixture evenly over the cake mix layer in the pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cake is set and the topping begins to brown.
  2. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and cool completely before serving.

Helpful Tips

  • Mixing: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to ensure a smooth, creamy topping.
  • Baking: Check the cake after 25 minutes to avoid overbaking. It’s done when a crust has formed on the top, and the cake is still slightly gooey and jiggles a little bit when you shake the pan.
  • Serving: Dust with some icing sugar just before serving for a classic finish. If you make this in advance, skip this step until just before cutting and serving as the cake will absorb the icing sugar from the topping.

Storage Information

Refrigerator: You can store this cake in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Freezer: Wrap in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead: Yes, Butter Cake can be made a day in advance. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and moist. It’s even better on the second day!

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it for brunch or as an afternoon snack or a sweet breakfast treat along with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
  • Enjoy for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, mascarpone or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Variations

  • Seasonal Flavor Twist: If you’re serving this in spring or summer, add some lemon zest to the batter. Around the holidays, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the topping for that festive marzipan flavor.
  • Chocolate Lover’s Edition: Use a chocolate cake mix instead of the yellow cake mix.
  • Add some fruit: Top with fresh raspberries or blueberries before serving for a fruity twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix.

How do I know when my cake is done?

It’s done when a crust has formed on the top, and the cake is still slightly gooey and jiggles a little bit when you shake the pan.

Can I make this without cake mix?

You sure can. If you prefer to make the cake mix from scratch, simply use a yellow cake recipe like this, and then proceed with the rest of the steps as outlined in the recipe.

close-up of a slice of st louis gooey butter cake on a blue plate.

More Easy Desserts To Try

St. Louis Gooey Butter

Recipe by Pennie Saadallah
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

321

kcal
Total time

45

minutes

If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that's rich, indulgent, and utterly irresistible, try my St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • Cake
  • 1 pkg yellow cake mix

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 cup melted butter

  • Topping
  • 1 pound powdered sugar

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2 large eggs

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan and set aside.
  • Mix together yellow cake mix, 2 eggs and melted butter. Spread evenly in prepared baking pan.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and 2 eggs. Spread over cake mix in pan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until cake is set and topping begins to brown. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and cool completely before serving.

Like this recipe?

Follow @gencooks on Pinterest

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*