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Ooey Gooey Butter Cake is just what it’s name implies – ooey, gooey and oh so wonderful. Enjoy it as is or topped with fresh berries.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This delicious cake was originally a bakery mistake! A St. Louis baker used the wrong amount of flour and sugar, not using enough flour, the cake was dense and heavy and people loved it! This cake is definitely a fortunate mistake.
It’s easy to make because it uses a standard cake mix. And It has a sweet and creamy top thanks to the cream cheese.
What is Ooey Gooey Cake?
Ooey Gooey Cake is delicious! It has a yellow cake base with a soft, gooey cream cheese layer on top. The cake uses a yellow cake mix together with melted butter and an egg. You then top that with a mixture of softened cream cheese, eggs and powdered sugar. It is pure magic.
Ingredients Needed
- Yellow cake mix
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cream Cheese
- Powdered sugar
How to Make Ooey Gooey Cake
- Combine cake mix with melted butter and an egg. Do not add the ingredients that are listed on the back of the cake mix.
- Press into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, 2 eggs and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer or a stand mixer until smooth.
- Pour over cake batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.
How to Serve
The cake is best served warm (if you really want it ooey and gooey) but it is also yummy at room temperature or right out of the refrigerator. It is basically good any time! Keep any leftovers refrigerated.
Can I Use A Different Flavor Cake Mix?
This cake is delicious when made with a lemon cake mix, strawberry, chocolate cake mix or even a spice cake mix. If using lemon, add a few teaspoons of lemon juice into the cream cheese mixture too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ooey Gooey Butter Cake need to be refrigerated?
The cake can be stored at room temperature for 2- 3 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to help keep them from drying out. You can also store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and serve it chilled but it won’t be as gooey.
Can you freeze ooey gooey butter cake?
I like to freeze it in individual squares, wrapping them in plastic wrap and then foil. You can also store them in a large zippered freezer bag.
You can also freeze the whole cake by covering the pan in plastic wrap or foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you are planning on freezing the whole cake I recommend baking it in a metal or aluminum foil baking pan, not glass.
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Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, melted
- 3 eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Grease and flour one 13 x 9 pan
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix together dry cake mix, melted butter and 1 egg. DO NOT add the ingredients from the back of the cake mix. Only use the dry cake mix.
- Press into prepared pan
- In separate bowl mix cream cheese, 2 eggs and powdered sugar
- Pour over the first layer
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes
Debbie Caraballo says
The first time I had this cake, my mom had it made when we came home on Christmas Eve, I believe in 1979. Her recipe was called Chess Cake, but exactly the same as this one. The entire family just fell in love with it! Hers was gone very quickly, and we actually made 2 more during the holidays!
Thanks for some great memories, and a reminder that I need some of this soon!
Leigh Anne says
Debbie, Love it when recipes have such wonderful memories associated with it.
Jeri says
I love your recipes. I wish the printed recipe included a photo of the finished product. Any way to do this? Yum! Thanks!
Patti Hill says
Hi,
I’m going to make this recipe tomorrow for a book club meeting.
When do you put the fruit on? After it is baked or before?
Thank you.
I really enjoy your blog and your facebook.
Sincerely,
Patti Hill
Livonia, Michigan
Leigh Anne says
Patti,
I put the berries on after the cake has baked and cooled. Then add the glaze on top of that – enjoy!
Ellen says
This is just about the same recipe I grew up with in St. Louis. We call it Gooey Butter Cake. It’s the best!
Adrienne says
I am so excited you published this recipe!!! This is a southern favorite that my mother-in-law makes every time we go to Oklahoma!
My husband wrote down the recipe but wrote it down wrong because it did not turn out well at all when I made it. Now I know where the problems were.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!