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    Home » Recipes » Bars and Slices

    Gooey Butter Cake

    Published: Feb 4, 2020 · Modified: Sep 13, 2020 by Emma Burton · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is one of my all time favourite recipes to make. This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey!

    **Original posted 2016. Photos and post updated 2020**

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    Until a few years ago, I didn't even realise a gooey butter cake was even a "thing". I had never seen nor heard of this dessert and I have never seen it made or sold in New Zealand.

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    After seeing a butter cake being made on a TV show, and doing a bit of research I found that it is definitely an American dessert. One that doesn't seem to have taken off here in little ole' New Zealand. (Perhaps I will be the one to start this phenomenon, who knows?!)

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    It was around four years ago that I discovered this dessert and I am still none the wiser of what it actually is. Is it a cake as the name suggests? Is it a slice? Is it a cheesecake?... American friends, comment below if you know the answer. In the meantime I call it a slice.

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    Defining these aren't the only trouble they have posed for me.

    Actually finding a recipe was quite a struggle.

    There are a lot of different variations but almost all of these use a boxed cake mix for the base and I didn't want that. I felt like I was cheating. So I persisted in searching and experimenting and my persistence paid off. I found a base recipe and from there I made a few changes and the butter cake was born. (My version of it anyway).

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    If the name didn't already give this away, this recipe contains butter. I would say quite a bit of butter but not over the top amounts. The original recipe contained quite a lot but I changed mine and managed to bring down the amount of butter without any flavour or texture sacrifice. The top part of the butter cake or as I call it, the cheesecake layer, contains melted butter which I had never seen used before in a "cheesecake" type mixture. All I'm saying about that is that it is awesome.

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

    I hope you enjoy this Gooey Butter Cake and I truly hope you give this recipe a go and remember to rate and report back your results in the comments below. I love reading your comments! Also #lightscamerabake on Instagram for a chance to be featured and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for fun baking videos!

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Gooey Butter Cake

    Cake like layer covered in a soft buttery cheesecake.
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24 Pieces
    Calories: 210kcal
    Author: Emma Burton

    Ingredients

    Cake Layer;

    • ¾ Cup Sugar
    • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
    • 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 100 g Butter, Melted (½ Cup)
    • 1 Large Egg
    • 2 Tbsp. Milk

    Top Layer;

    • 250 g Cream Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 100 g Butter, Melted (½ Cup)
    • 2 Large Eggs
    • 2 Cups Icing Sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 9"x13" pan with baking paper.

    Cake Layer;

    • Place the sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl.
    • Mix in the butter, egg and milk.
    • Spread evenly in the pan and set to the side.

    Top Layer;

    • Beat the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla and butter together until smooth and creamy.
    • With the beater on, add the icing sugar and beat until all incorporated and pour over the cake layer.
    • Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is lightly golden but the middle is still slightly wobbly.
    • Allow it to cool completely and I recommend allowing it to set in the fridge before slicing.
    • If you don't mind it being a bit gooey, just let it come to room temperature before serving

    Nutrition

    Calories: 210kcal
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LightsCameraBake or tag #lightscamerabake!

    This Gooey Butter Cake is a cake like layer covered in a soft buttery vanilla cheesecake-like topping. Soft, creamy and a mixture of chewy and gooey! #buttercakerecipe #buttercake #pauladean #gooeybuttercake #vanillacheesecake

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    Hi! I'm Emma, the the driving force Lights, Camera, Bake!. I develop the recipes, style the food and produce the accompanying photos and videos for you at home.

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