This gooey butter cake is an easy cake mix recipe that’s rich, buttery, and perfectly gooey. A St. Louis classic, this quick dessert comes together in less than an hour with simple ingredients.
This gooey butter cake is an easy, cake mix version of the classic St. Louis dessert. It’s rich, buttery, and perfectly gooey, with a soft buttery base and a sweet, creamy topping.
We lived in Missouri for years, and gooey butter cake was always a favorite there. This version keeps all of that classic flavor but uses simple ingredients and a cake mix to make it quick and easy to put together.
This easy cake is perfect when you want something homemade without a lot of effort, and it’s a great option for everything from weeknights to to birthdays to potlucks.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Cake mix: Be sure that it’s a 15 ounce cake mix. Some brands have started going to a 13 ounce mix. You can also make your own homemade cake mix.
- Butter: If using salted butter, just add a pinch of salt in the crust and filling.
- Cream cheese: I recommend using full-fat cream cheese in the recipe for the richest, creamiest filling.
How to make gooey butter cake with cake mix
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper for easy removal. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the crust: To a large bowl, add yellow cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and salt. Stir together with a fork to create a dough.
Step 3: Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan to form a crust. Set aside.
Step 4: Make the filling: Using a hand mixer and a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium speed until creamy.
Step 5: Slowly add in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until all has been incorporated.
Step 6: Pour filling mixture on top of the crust in the pan.
Step 7: Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center still has a slight jiggle.
Step 8: Cool completely before slicing and serving. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top.
Recipe Tips!
- Don’t overbake: The center should still be slightly gooey — that’s what gives it the signature texture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs: This helps create a smooth, creamy topping.
- Let it cool before cutting: This helps the layers set and makes for cleaner slices.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving (optional): Adds a classic finishing touch and a little more sweetness.
Storage
Store any leftover gooey butter cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
More easy cake mix cake recipes!
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Gooey Butter Cake Recipe with Cake Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
Crust
- 15.25 ounce package yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 8 ounce package cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar plus extra for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper for easy removal. Set aside.
- Make the crust: To a large bowl, add yellow cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and salt. Stir together with a fork to create a dough.15.25 ounce package yellow cake mix, ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan to form a crust. Set aside.
- Make the filling: Using a hand mixer and a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium speed until creamy.8 ounce package cream cheese, 2 large eggs, ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
- Slowly add in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until all has been incorporated.4 cups sifted powdered sugar
- Pour filling mixture on top of the crust in the pan.
- Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center still has a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely before slicing and serving. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top.
Notes
- Cake mix: Be sure that it’s a 15 ounce cake mix. Some brands have started going to a 13 ounce mix. You can also make your own homemade cake mix.
- Butter: If using salted butter, just add a pinch of salt in the crust and filling.
- Cream cheese: I recommend using full-fat cream cheese in the recipe for the richest, creamiest filling.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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