Gooey Butter Cake Recipe Without Cake Mix Made Easy

If you’ve ever experienced the rich, decadent delight of a gooey butter cake, you know it’s a dessert that’s impossible to resist. This classic Midwestern treat boasts a luscious, buttery base topped with a creamy, sweet, and irresistibly gooey layer that melts in your mouth.

While many recipes rely on boxed cake mixes, today, we’re diving into a homemade version that skips the cake mix entirely. This recipe lets you control every ingredient, resulting in a fresher, more flavorful cake that’s just as easy to make.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something indulgent to enjoy with your coffee, this gooey butter cake will satisfy your sweet tooth. With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, you can create a dessert that’s both impressive and comforting.

Ready to impress your friends and family with a melt-in-your-mouth treat? Let’s bake!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This gooey butter cake recipe is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it eliminates the need for a boxed cake mix, so you get that fresh, homemade flavor from scratch.

Every bite is rich and buttery, with a perfectly gooey texture that’s soft but not overly dense.

Second, the recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, making it super accessible. The baking process is straightforward, even for beginner bakers, ensuring delicious results without any hassle.

Finally, this cake is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with different flavors or toppings, and it pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Whether for a holiday, potluck, or everyday indulgence, this gooey butter cake will quickly become a favorite!

Ingredients

• For the cake base:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk
• For the gooey topping:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack
• Oven thermometer (optional but recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the cake base: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully combined.
5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and ½ cup milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined — do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
7. Prepare the gooey topping: In a large mixing bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
8. Add 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 4 tablespoons melted butter to the cream cheese, beating well after each addition.
9. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and beat until completely smooth and fluffy.
10. Carefully spread the gooey topping evenly over the cake base in the pan.
11. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden but the center still jiggles slightly.
12. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely at room temperature before slicing.
13. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. For best results, refrigerate leftover cake and bring to room temperature before serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra-rich flavor, use full-fat cream cheese and fresh unsalted butter.

• Don’t overbake: The center should be slightly soft when done; it will firm up as it cools.
• Flavor variations: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or swap vanilla with lemon zest for a citrus twist.
• Texture tweaks: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the base batter for crunch.
• Chocolate lovers: Stir ½ cup cocoa powder into the base dry ingredients for a chocolate gooey butter cake.
• Serving suggestion: Dust the top with a little extra powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce for added decadence.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This gooey butter cake shines best when served slightly chilled or at room temperature. Try pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience.

Another excellent option is to serve it alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the richness. For an indulgent afternoon treat, enjoy a slice with your favorite cup of coffee or black tea.

Leftovers can be warmed briefly in the microwave to restore the gooey texture before serving, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

Conclusion

This gooey butter cake recipe without cake mix brings the best of homemade baking straight to your table. It’s an indulgent, buttery dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make and uses everyday ingredients.

By crafting the cake base and gooey topping from scratch, you get a fresher, more customizable cake that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Whether you’re new to baking or looking to perfect a classic comfort dessert, this recipe delivers every time. So grab your mixing bowls, fire up your oven, and enjoy the rich, melt-in-your-mouth magic of homemade gooey butter cake!

For more delicious homemade dessert ideas, check out our recipes for Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lemon Blueberry Muffins, and Easy Vanilla Pudding.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Gooey Butter Cake Recipe Without Cake Mix”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and decadent gooey butter cake made from scratch without using any cake mix. Perfectly buttery with a sweet, gooey center and a tender crust.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “9 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup granulated sugar”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 cup unsalted butter, melted”, “1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened”, “2 large eggs”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1 1/2 cups powdered sugar”, “1/2 cup sour cream”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour, granulated sugar, salt, and melted butter until crumbly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Press mixture evenly into a greased 9×9 inch baking pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add eggs, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and sour cream to cream cheese; mix well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are golden and center is set but still gooey.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool completely before cutting into squares.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “420”, “proteinContent”: “5g”, “fatContent”: “25g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45g”}}