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4.83 from 35 votes
A plate of gooey butter cake, topped with whipped cream.
Print Recipe
Incredible Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
 

This Gooey Butter Cake recipe is a St. Louis staple that's indulgently sweet with complex textures and butterscotch notes.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 squares
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
Gooey Butter Cake Sponge Layer
  • 1 ½ cups (7½ oz/213 g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup (4 oz/115 g) dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (3 oz/85 g) butter , melted
  • 2 large eggs , at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
Gooey Butter Cake Topping Layer
Instructions
To Make the Gooey Butter Cake Layer

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9x9 inch (23x23 cm) baking pan and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder and salt until well combined.

  3. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan.

To Make the Gooey Butter Cake Topping

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using an electric mixer) mix together the powdered sugar, cream cheese and brown sugar on low speed until smooth.

  2. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk on medium speed until combined.

  3. Pour the topping evenly over the cake batter.

To Bake the Gooey Butter Cake

  1. Bake for 1 hour or until the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly when shaken.

  2. Let the cake cool in the pan slightly before cutting into 9 squares.

To Serve the Gooey Butter Cake

  1. Serve warm with whipped cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.