Description
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake is a decadent American dessert featuring a buttery cake base topped with a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy cream cheese layer. This rich, gooey treat offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a beloved classic especially popular in St. Louis. Its luscious filling and soft cake base bake together to form the signature ooey gooey center that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base
- 1 (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking. In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and one large egg. Mix until a thick, dough-like consistency forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the cake base.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Then add the remaining two large eggs, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix all ingredients until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the pressed cake base layer in the pan. Spread it out gently to cover the base evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Bake until the edges are golden brown but the center remains slightly soft and gooey to maintain the signature texture.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Cooling helps the cake set properly, making it easier to slice. Once cooled, cut into 12 equal squares and serve. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of almond extract to the cream cheese filling.
- Dust the finished cake with powdered sugar for a decorative touch and extra sweetness.
- Do not overbake the cake to preserve its signature gooey center; the center should still be slightly soft when removed from the oven.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure a smooth filling without lumps.
