Easy Gooey Butter Cake is the ultimate rich and buttery dessert with a soft cake base and a creamy, sweet topping that melts in your mouth. This classic Easy Gooey Butter Cake recipe comes together with simple pantry ingredients and is perfect for holidays, potlucks, birthdays, or anytime you need an easy dessert everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super simple with minimal prep
- Rich, buttery, and irresistibly gooey
- Perfect for parties and family gatherings
- Uses affordable pantry staples
- Beginner-friendly dessert recipe
- Delicious served chilled or at room temperature
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, divided
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk 1 egg. Add melted butter and yellow cake mix. Stir with a fork until combined.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In the same bowl, beat softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, and powdered sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust layer.
- Bake the Easy Gooey Butter Cake for 38–42 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown. The center should still jiggle slightly.
- Cool completely before dusting with additional powdered sugar.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Tips & Tricks
- Do not overbake or the gooey center will dry out.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling.
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner squares.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Top with fresh berries for a beautiful dessert platter.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
Notes
- Duncan Hines cake mix works especially well because the texture stays soft and buttery.
- For a richer flavor, use salted butter and reduce added salt elsewhere.
- Serve with coffee, tea, or vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fat: 20g
- Sugar: 44g
FAQ
Why is my gooey butter cake dry?
It was likely overbaked. The center should still jiggle slightly when removed from the oven.
Can I make Easy Gooey Butter Cake ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes even better after chilling for several hours.
Should gooey butter cake be refrigerated?
Yes. Store it in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese layer.
Can I freeze gooey butter cake?
Absolutely. Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes. Butter pecan, chocolate, or lemon cake mix all work well.
Why is the center still soft?
That gooey center is exactly what makes this dessert special.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Enjoy chilled or warm slightly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Similar Recipes
Easy Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 3 eggs divided
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 box 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
- 1 block 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk 1 egg. Add melted butter and yellow cake mix. Stir with a fork until combined.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In the same bowl, beat softened cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, and powdered sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust layer.
- Bake the Easy Gooey Butter Cake for 38–42 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown. The center should still jiggle slightly.
- Cool completely before dusting with additional powdered sugar.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Duncan Hines cake mix works especially well because the texture stays soft and buttery.
- For a richer flavor, use salted butter and reduce added salt elsewhere.
- Serve with coffee, tea, or vanilla ice cream.
Conclusion
This Easy Gooey Butter Cake is rich, creamy, buttery, and incredibly simple to make. With its soft cake crust and sweet gooey topping, it’s the perfect dessert for gatherings, celebrations, or cozy weekends at home. Once you try this Easy Gooey Butter Cake recipe, it’s sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.