Happy National Gooey Butter Cake Day

The Gooey Butter Cake’s history traces back to the 1930s in St. Louis, Missouri. Its origins are often attributed to a German-American baker named John Hoffman. The story goes that Hoffman mistakenly altered the proportion of ingredients while trying to create a regular coffee cake, resulting in a gooey, custard-like filling atop a cake base.

The cake’s irresistible taste led to its popularity among the local community. It became a staple in St. Louis bakeries and households, gaining iconic status over time. While the precise details might be shrouded in culinary lore, the cake’s unique blend of sweet, chewy, and buttery flavors has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on dessert enthusiasts. Variations and adaptations of the original recipe have emerged, ensuring that Gooey Butter Cake remains a cherished treat with a rich history.

Here’s a classic Gooey Butter Cake recipe for you to enjoy:

Ingredients:

For the base:

• 1 box (about 18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the gooey topping:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix until well combined.
3. Press the cake mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
4. In another mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
5. Add the 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter to the cream cheese. Mix until well combined.
6. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.
7. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base in the pan, spreading it evenly.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly gooey.
9. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
10. Once cooled, you can dust the top with additional powdered sugar if desired.
11. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious homemade Gooey Butter Cake!

Feel free to customize this recipe by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other flavor variations to the gooey topping. Remember, Gooey Butter Cake is meant to have a gooey and custard-like texture in the center, so don’t worry if it’s not completely firm when you take it out of the oven.