October 25, 2023
Review RecipeButter Cake
The first time you take a bite of this gooey butter cake, you'll wonder why it took you so long to discover this delectable dessert.
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You will be so glad you made this gooey butter cake recipe once you take your first bite. A soft cake layer, topped with a gooey cream cheese layer and finished off with a rich, buttery sauce, is the stuff dreams are made of.
Butter Cake Ingredients
Butter cake is a truly delectable delight and one of the most satisfying treats for any dessert lover out there.
The texture is smooth and velvety, and the flavor is rich and indulgent. A slice of butter cake is be moist but not too dense, with a perfect balance of sweetness and a subtle buttery taste that lingers on your tongue
You’ll need:
For The Cake Layer:
- 1 package of yellow cake mix
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For The Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese, cut into pieces and softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
For The Butter Sauce:
- ¼ cup of salted butter
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup of evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Substitutions And Additions
CAKE MIX: Any brand of cake mix will work fine in this easy recipe.
TOPPING: While we provide directions to make a buttery sauce to top this simple butter cake, some people like to add a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar or caramel sauce instead.
How To Make This Butter Cake Recipe
The cake itself comes together in two parts – the cake batter and the cream cheese layer. Once baked, you will make the rich butter sauce that will soak into the cake when you drizzle it on top.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Be sure the eggs (and all ingredients) are at room temperature when mixing the cake layers. This helps them to combine evenly. For example, if the eggs are cold, they will harden up the cream cheese while beating it together and cause lumps in the mixture.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with baking spray.
STEP TWO: In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cake layer ingredients together. Press the cake batter into the prepared pan.
PRO TIP:
The bottom cake layer is sticky. If you grease your spatula with a bit of butter or nonstick cooking spray, it will be much easier to press the dough into the pan without it getting stuck to the spatula.
STEP THREE: Beat the cream cheese, butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. With the mixer on low speed, add in the powdered sugar and beat until creamy and combined. Spread over the first layer.
STEP FOUR: Bake the butter cake for 40 minutes until golden and puffy.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cake as the suggested baking time approaches.
STEP FIVE: Meanwhile, make the butter sauce by combining the butter, sugar, and evaporated milk in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, whisking regularly, until the mixture has turned slightly golden and thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
PRO TIP:
The butter sauce will thicken the longer you cook it. I cooked mine for about 5 minutes, and it was thick enough to hold its shape when poured over the cake.
STEP SIX: Pour butter sauce over top of the cake (either warm or after the cake has cooled) and serve.
How To Serve
This delicious cake does not need anything extra to make it the perfect choice for a dessert to serve to guests or even just to your family.
If you want an extra indulgent treat, you can never go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.
Our Kentucky butter cake is another rich cake, while our crazy cake is a fun vintage recipe that we are sure you will enjoy.
MORE CAKE RECIPES
Storing This Recipe For Butter Cake
Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your butter cake stays fresh, moist, and utterly delicious.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, this butter cake can be made a day in advance. Once the cake has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
Store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, to maintain its freshness. Making the cake ahead allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delightful treat!
IN THE FRIDGE: Store this rich cake in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. Just make sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving to fully appreciate its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze this delicious ooey-gooey butter cake for up to 1 month in an airtight container.
Originating in St. Louis, this incredible butter cake recipe takes simple ingredients to create a delicious treat with a creamy toffee-like baked topping. We guarantee this will be a huge hit with anyone you serve it to.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I freeze this cake?
This great cake can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.
Can I top this cake with something other than the butter sauce?
Instead of the butter sauce, try a dusting of powdered sugar or caramel sauce for two delicious alternatives.
How do I know the cake is finished baking?
Once the edges just start to brown slightly, your St. Louis gooey butter cake is done. You don’t want to overbake this cake as you want it to be gooey and soft when you bite into it.
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Butter Cake
The first time you take a bite of this gooey butter cake, you'll wonder why it took you so long to discover this delectable dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12
Ingredients
Cake Layer
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces and softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with baking spray.
- Beat together the cake layer ingredients. Press into the prepared pan.
- Beat cream cheese, butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add in the powdered sugar and beat until creamy and combined. Spread over the first layer.
- Bake the butter cake for 40 minutes until golden and puffy.
- Meanwhile, make a butter sauce by combining butter, sugar, and evaporated milk in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, whisking regularly, until mixture has turned slightly golden and thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
- Pour butter sauce over butter cake (either warm or after the cake has cooled) and serve.
Notes
- Be sure the eggs (and all ingredients) are at room temperature when mixing the cake layers. This helps them to combine evenly. For example, if the eggs are cold, they will harden up the cream cheese while beating it together and cause lumps in the mixture.
- The bottom cake layer is sticky. If you grease your spatula with a bit of butter or nonstick cooking spray, it will be much easier to press the dough into the pan without it getting stuck to the spatula.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cake as the suggested baking time approaches.
- The butter sauce will thicken the longer you cook it. I cooked mine for about 5 minutes, and it was thick enough to hold its shape when poured over the cake.
Nutrition
Calories: 607kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin A: 842IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Peggy G says
I made this for a Labor Day picnic, and it was the most eaten/most complimented dessert there.
Ckws says
I can’t wait to make this. I’ve tried others but this one looks extra good. Thanks for sharing.
Victoria Griffin says
The was very good this is the first time I ever made a butter cake!
JoAnn says
I have been going bananas baking Ooey Gooey Butter Cake weekly trying to find the perfect recipe. I finally hit the Jackpot with your recipe! I have made it twice, once with almond extract and powdered sugar and once as with the vanilla and glaze. My husband, who has an obsession with desserts, preferred it without the topping. He thought they were perfect as is. He loved both the vanilla and almond extract flavors. I prefer the almond. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
JoAnn