Gooey Butter Cake is a St. Louis tradition, where the cake becomes the crust and holds a gooey cream cheese filling. This coffee cake is generally served for breakfast but can easily make an appearance on any dessert table.

We love gooey butter cake recipes so much we love to give them a little twist like Nutella Gooey Butter Cake, Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake, Strawberry Gooey Butter Cake, Carrot Cake Gooey Butter Cake, or even Peanut Butter Gooey Butter Cookies!

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St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake for breakfast or dessert

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

You do know Gooey Butter Cake is a St. Louis thing, right? And people who are not born and raised in St. Louis shouldn’t really post about it! {I kid)

Me?….yep, born and raised, so I’m pretty sure that makes ME qualified. Don’t go looking at places like The New York Times, for a St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake recipe, because, it’s not the kind of Gooey Butter Cake any St. Louisan’s (that I know) make……I’m just sayin’ {wink}.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that cake is scrumptious as all get out too, it’s just not exactly the way St. Louisan’s make it.

Gooey Butter Cake is a dessert like no other. I’m not even really sure why it’s called a “cake”.  The magic of cream cheese, sugar and egg create a dessert that is irresistible. While a simple boxed cake mix makes it incredibly easy.

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St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Recipe steps

How To Make St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Ok, so grab your apron and let’s get started. I’m going to show you the REAL recipe.  It’s really really easy, so don’t be all nervous.

**DISCLAIMER: I will not be held accountable for any weight that may be gained from this recipe.  Bake and eat at your own risk. 😉

(full recipe below)

In this recipe, a box cake mix becomes the “crust”.  You do NOT mix the cake mix according to the box directions.  You are going to simply combine a yellow cake mix with one egg and melted butter.  It will be thick lick a cookie dough.

  1. Using your clean fingers, press the dough into a greased 9x13x2 cake pan.
  2. Next, using an electric mixer combined softened cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth.
  3. Spread cream cheese batter over crust batter. Then bake for 40-45 minutes, or until edges are brown.
  4. Cool the cake on a baking rack. Then, dust with powdered sugar on top after the cake has cooled completely.
A piece of St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake


Then enjoy a nice cup of coffee and get the kids to clean the kitchen while it bakes.

Can’t get any easier than that!!

Gooey Butter Cake will keep for several days covered and on the counter.  We actually enjoy this coffee cake on day two or three.  So it’s a great make-ahead breakfast cake or dessert for entertaining.

Gooey Butter Cake on cutting board

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St Lous Gooey Butter Cake served

Make this, and you can call yourself a St. Louisan for the day!

ENJOY!!

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake for breakfast or dessert

Gooey Butter Cake

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

This coffee cake is a St. Louis tradition, where the cake becomes the crust and holds a gooey cream cheese filling. It's generally served for breakfast, but can easily make an appearance on any dessert table.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325° F and grease a 9x13x2 cake pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg and melted butter until well combined (it should be a thick dough).
  3. Using clean hands press the dough into the prepared pan with your fingers.
  4. Using an electric mixer, blend, cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth.
  5. Spread filling over first dough layer.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until edges are brown.
  7. Cool cake on cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar after cake has cooled completely.

Notes

I like to make this a day or so ahead of time, because I actually like it better when it’s a day or two old the gooey center firms up more.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 319Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 395mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 1gSugar: 38gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.

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