Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Name: Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 16 ounces powdered sugar

Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake

... from Aunt Sandy's Kitchen

Serves: 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking: 35-50 minutes

Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake is a rich, buttery dessert with a soft cake crust and a sweet, creamy cream cheese filling. This easy Southern dessert is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, or anytime you want a simple dessert that tastes homemade and comforting.

If you love easy dessert recipes made with cake mix and cream cheese, this gooey butter cake is a must-try. It bakes up golden around the edges with a soft, slightly gooey center that makes every bite sweet, rich, and irresistible.

🛒 Crust Ingredients

1 package (15.25 oz.) yellow cake mix
1 egg, beaten
½ cup (8 tablespoons) melted butter

🛒 Filling Ingredients

1 package (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
½ cup (8 tablespoons) melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box (16 oz.) powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.
To make the crust, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
Pat the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
To make the filling, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth.
Add the remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined and smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and mix well until fully incorporated.
Spread the filling evenly over the crust.
Bake for 35 to 50 minutes, being careful not to overbake. The center should remain slightly gooey.
Let the cake cool before slicing and serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Do not overbake this cake. The center should still be slightly soft and gooey when you remove it from the oven.
For the best texture, make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing the filling.
This cake is rich, so smaller slices work well for serving at parties, holidays, and potlucks.
Let the cake cool before cutting to help the layers set more cleanly.
You can dust the top lightly with powdered sugar before serving for a pretty finish.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is gooey butter cake supposed to be gooey in the center?

Gooey butter cake is meant to have a soft, rich, slightly gooey center. That signature texture is what makes this dessert different from a traditional cake.

Can I make gooey butter cake ahead of time?

Yes. You can make this cake ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Many people enjoy it even more after it has had time to chill and set.

Do I need to refrigerate gooey butter cake?

Yes. Because the filling contains cream cheese, leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes. Yellow cake mix is classic, but butter cake mix or vanilla cake mix can also work well in this recipe.

How do I know when gooey butter cake is done baking?

The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center should still look a little soft. Be careful not to bake until the center is fully firm, or the cake may lose its signature gooey texture.

Dessert