Gooey Butter Cake

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Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

Based on 910 Reviews

Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients Add to grocery list

Cake:
1 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 16-ounce box powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat together.

Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.

Tools You May Need

Mixing bowls
Spatula
Mixer
Baking pan

Show: Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Random House Publishing
Watch Paula on Food Network

Reader Comments:

I saw u and yr son make n the gooey butter cake and it look so great that i had to try them. I lvu try n new things and i enjoy good home cook eats:-) I would like to b a guess 0n yr sho to stand next to u side by side to cook and eat. I lvu yr family closness....

By Sonya Baskin on May 22, 2012

I first tried this cake at Paula's restaurant....I went back for another piece but it was all gone!! After I came home I was craving it so bad that I had to look up the recipe and bake one...OMG it is so good and easy to make. I have taken it to work a few times and they rave about it..I could sit down and eat the whole cake.. I a thinking about trying different cake mixes with it...Wondering what a boxed red velvet would taste like??

By Becky Steele on May 13, 2012

my fimly love that cake when my mom make it is on in a seacond.

By Anonymous on May 12, 2012

I first had gooey butter cake in St. Louis while visiting my daughter. Loved it so much, I googled and found Paula's recipe. I have made it many times and love it. However, I do top it with frozen blueberries before baking since the St. Louis version had blueberries. Yum-yum!

By Judy Godwin on May 11, 2012

we love this!! really simple to make and its always a big hit!

By katy on May 10, 2012

Hey Paula, after 52 years, I finally have an addition, your GBC, yummy!!

By Robin Mcknight on May 08, 2012

Absolutely love this cake.

By Tasha Bullard on May 06, 2012

Dearest Paula: I love you, I adore you- DON'T EVER CHANGE!! Forget the naysayers; I know that we could all use a little restraint when it comes to over-indulging, but I feel I am adult enough to know when to say when!! You remind me of my wonderful grandmom and her mom; these women believed in making recipes from scratch, and the way the house smelled- OH MY GOD! You bring beautiful memories of them with your recipes, and I will always be grateful that I can bring that experience to my children, creating our own memories. People still have choices (the last time I looked), so forget your critics- it seems what started out as a genuine concern has become something of a fad that will soon pass. So, hang in there. You have my total support. Thank you for all you do- Suzanne

By Suzanne Arroyo on May 06, 2012

This is absolutely the best cake my family and I have ever had! Paula you are the bomb!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

By Jessica on May 04, 2012

I have been buying this cake at Walmart in about a 4X6 (approx.) square and cost almost $3 apiece. Of course just one would not do!! Just absolutely love this cake and it was about to break me buying 3-4 every time I went to Walmart. So decided to check out your website and see if I could find the recipe and I believe this one is it. Got what I need and now I'm going to try making the cake and hope it's as good as the ones I bought!! Let my son have a bite and all he said was that it just melts in the mouth. If it turns out like I hope it will it will be what I take next time I go to my sister's for Christmas dinner.

By Sharon Hale on May 03, 2012

This is not a southern recipe at all, nor is it Paula Dean's. It's actually pretty much an exact copy of the famous St. Louis gooey butter cake, I have family members who could spew this recipe off the top of their heads it's so commonly known there.

By Dane K on May 03, 2012

I used lemon cake mix and lemon extract (instead of vanilla). I'm drooling just thinking about it!

By Leilani on May 03, 2012

This has become my go-to recipe as of late. EVERYONE loves it. However, everytime I make mine the top always hardens and darkens a little too much, making it more of a Carmelized topping. The ones sold at WalMart are not like this. Am I doing something wrong? I even turned the temp down in my oven. Either way it's still delicious, I just want to know if it's suppose to be this way?!?

By Jamie on May 02, 2012

Loved this recipe this recipe will make you eat your fingers and the sad about this is I dont even like cake I mean nobodys not even my mommas but when I taste this I fell in love with this Paula Deen I love it I still to this day dont eat nobodys cake but Paula Deen Thanks for making this I also gained the weight i wanted from this i have been trying to gain weight for the longest and was not able to do so, but this cake added pounds im loving the way I look now i have some meat on my bones now

By Brandy on May 01, 2012

Perfect!!!! Enough said!!

By Megan Gargus on April 26, 2012

We found at walmart one of the paula deen gooey butter cake and it was so good. My mom and I ate the whole cake. We are going to try and make one for ourselves. Thanks paula for the wonderful cake.

By brooke on April 26, 2012

I LOVE THE GOOEY BUTTER CAKE THAT I PURCHASED SO MUCH. I BUY THEM ALL OFF THE SHELF. MY HUSBAND GOES CRAZY OVER THEM. I HAD TO COME AND SEE COULD I GET THE RECIPE TO MAKE AT HOME. KEEP YOU POSTED ON HOW IT TURNS OUT. MS. PAULA YOU ARE AMAZING

By LASHONDA ANDRANETTE WALTON on April 25, 2012

Went to the new Paula Deen restaurant located in the Harrahs casino today with my mother-in-law. We Loved it! Ended a great meal with the Gooey Butter Cake...Excellent! Thank you for coming up North Paula. P.s. Already made reservations for Sunday brunch for three. ; )

By Anonymous on April 23, 2012

This is one of the best cakes I have ever eaten,soooo yummy,had to have the recipe.Thank you Paula for sharing!!!!

By Verna Davenport on April 23, 2012

Just saying, this shouldn't even be LEGAL. But it's delicious.

By Breanna on April 22, 2012

View All Comments

I am sure this is a lot less calories BUT this version is for a 9x9 dish and serves 16. Paula’s is in a 13x9 and serves 6-8 hmmmm

By KK on November 10, 2010

Yes I think you should do a cookbook with these lighter recipes….Yum! And I too like Julia from Florida City,FL, want to know how to make Pumpkin and the other variations of this recipe!
Love all the Deens!!!!!

By Linda - Florida on November 02, 2010

Hello, I love Paula Deen recipes but I am trying to lose weight and I thank you Paula for allowing your son Bobby to Lighten up your recipes! I also have a question for Bobby on your caramel and red velvet cake the picture shows 3 layers or more and according to your recipe it looks like your only mentioning using on cake pan so how do you get 3 or 4 layers out of one cake? thank you so very Much for your kindness ! Sincerely Jill Smith

By Jill Smith on September 16, 2010

Greek yogurt can be replaced with sour cream—it is very similar in taste and texture. Fage is my favorite brand of Greek yogurt.

By karen on June 25, 2010

these recipes are amazing!!!! Paula’s food, which is absolutely incredibly good.. with a few dozen less calories.. how perfect!!!
Any chance Bobby will publish a cookbook????

By Ilene Weiser on May 29, 2010

I have bought Greek yogurt at Wal Mart.

By Rebecca on May 26, 2010

To Mary A.G. (re: greek yogurt) I just asked my coworkers the same thing, and was told it’s Activia! LOVE just about anything Paula and Sons make - and have been to the restaurant as well. Best iced tea I’ve ever had!

By Margaret on May 26, 2010

Bobby, thank you so much for lighter recipes. My whole family is trying to drop some weight and I had a gastric sleeve surgery and cannot eat some of the wonderful recipes your mama came up with (very sad). I would love to host your family to my lighter Mexican food (no lard ever). If you are ever in the southwest contact me and your family and my family will eat together, I hope! Give mama a kiss from this mama.

By Patty Welsh on May 25, 2010

I have tried almost every flavor cake mix for this and eac time it was a hit, now that I have your version of it, I will definitely have to try it. No offense Paula, I still love you

By Kris Fredlaw on May 25, 2010

my family and I simply adore paula’s recipes! Actually all of the dean family recipes. can’t wait to try this light gooey butter cake… so tell me…is ther a light version to her cheesy mac??

By Debbie Davis on May 25, 2010

Uh-oh, move over, Mom! I love my gooey butter cake, but I will try your recipe, Bobby. And I think you should get started on your lightened-up cookbook and magazine!! Thank you. A great combination of your mom’s great recipes and health.

By Carol O'Brocki on May 25, 2010

Where in the world do you find Greek Yogurt? Is there anything can be substituted if we can’t find Greek yogurt??
Thank you.

By Mary A. G. on May 10, 2010

This whole idea is a dream come true! I am printing out recipes right now and cannot wait to try them! Bobby, you rock!

By Eileen on April 29, 2010

Hi I love that you are lightening up your Mama’s wonderful recipes.. Just wondering if you can use a sugar substitute in this recipe.. Love the gooey butter cake but am pre diabetic and trying to really watch carbs.
Also how do you make it with Pumpkin and other flavors?
Thank you so much,
Julie

By Julia Graff on March 20, 2010

Thank you so much for the “Lighten Up” recipes!! I also appreciate the nutrional information. It makes following my Weight Watchers a lot easier with some great food. The recipes also help me figure out how to lighten my own recipes. Thanks so much!

By Rebecca on March 04, 2010

Thank so much Bobby for your “Lightening Up” I am a Diabetic and am so thankful for your version of your mama’s fabulous family receipes. Your mama is an inspiration to all. You and your whole family are the best, keep your versions coming. Thank you!

By Barbara on February 27, 2010

Finally some of my favorite recipes with calorie counts! Thanks! Greatly appreciated! You made my weekend!

By Glynis Maruk on February 25, 2010

Made this cake last night and it was fabulous. We ate it when it was still slightly warm. My hubby could have eaten the whole dish. Thank you for a wonderful lighter version of Paula’s cake.

By Jean Ealm on February 04, 2010

I am all for lightening up recipes…but messing with the gooey butter cake??? Blasphemy…lol…just kidding!

By Denise on February 04, 2010

Thanks for great ideas. At almost 70 yrs.old I can’t always eat Paula’s food-BUT oh how I love it, her and your whole family. You are all such blessings.

By Margaret Wisler on January 30, 2010

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Gooey Butter Cake

Ingredients Add to grocery list

Directions

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