Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Paula Deen’s ooey gooey butter cake is a rich, buttery dessert with a soft yellow cake base and a creamy, sweet cream cheese topping that stays wonderfully gooey in the center. This easy version uses boxed cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar to create the signature texture without making a cake batter from scratch.

The secret to this classic-style ooey gooey cake is knowing when to take it out of the oven. The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the center should still have a slight jiggle. As the cake cools, the filling firms up without losing its soft, creamy consistency.

This Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake recipe is ideal for potlucks, holidays, family gatherings, or whenever you want a crowd-pleasing dessert with simple ingredients. You can also customize it with different cake mix flavors or chopped nuts to create your own delicious variation.

Why You’ll Love This Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cake

This gooey butter cake combines easy preparation with the rich flavor and irresistible texture of a homemade dessert.

• Simple ingredients: Uses convenient boxed cake mix and pantry staples.

• Quick preparation: Mix the base and filling in separate bowls.

• Rich buttery flavor: Melted butter gives every layer a decadent taste.

• Creamy topping: Cream cheese creates a smooth, sweet filling.

• Soft, gooey center: The middle stays tender when baked correctly.

• Golden edges: The outside develops a lightly set, delicate crust.

• Easy to customize: Try different cake mixes or optional chopped nuts.

• Perfect for sharing: A 9 × 13-inch pan makes plenty of servings.

• Make-ahead friendly: Cool the cake before slicing and serving.

What Is Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake?

Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake is a rich dessert made with a cake mix base and a sweet cream cheese topping. The base becomes buttery and cake-like around the edges, while the upper layer develops a soft, dense, almost custard-like texture.

Gooey butter cake is closely associated with St. Louis, Missouri, where traditional versions are known for their buttery, sweet, slightly dense consistency. This cake-mix version is a convenient home-baking adaptation of that style, using cream cheese to create its signature creamy topping.

Unlike a conventional layer cake, this ooey gooey cake is baked in one pan and served in squares. It does not need frosting or elaborate decoration because the rich filling provides plenty of sweetness and flavor on its own.

What Does Gooey Butter Cake Taste Like?

Gooey butter cake tastes sweet, buttery, creamy, and rich, with a soft texture that falls somewhere between a dense cake and a cheesecake-like filling. The yellow cake base provides a familiar vanilla flavor and a slightly firmer bite, while the cream cheese layer adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar.

The edges become lightly golden and more structured during baking, but the center stays soft and moist. Each bite combines the buttery base with the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth topping.

Vanilla adds warmth to the filling, and optional chopped nuts contribute a pleasant crunch. The overall flavor is indulgent without requiring frosting, glaze, or additional toppings.

What Are The Ingredients in Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake?

You’ll need two simple sets of ingredients: one for the cake base and another for the creamy filling. Makes one 9 × 13-inch cake. Measurements are for the supplied recipe.

For the Cake Base

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow or white cake mix: Forms the foundation of the cake and keeps preparation simple. Yellow cake mix gives the base a richer color and classic buttery-cake flavor.

• 1 large egg: Helps bind the cake mix and melted butter into a thick, pressable dough.

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the base hold together.

• Cooking spray: Prevents the cake from sticking to the baking pan.

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened: Creates the thick, creamy topping. Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly and helps prevent lumps.

• 2 large eggs: Give the filling structure as it bakes.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet aroma that complements the cream cheese and butter.

• 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling and contributes to its smooth consistency.

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Gives the topping its signature buttery richness.

• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional): Adds texture and a nutty contrast to the soft filling.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. 9 × 13-inch baking pan: Provides enough room for the cake base and cream cheese filling.

2. Large mixing bowl: For combining the cake mix, egg, and butter.

3. Separate mixing bowl: For preparing the cream cheese filling.

4. Electric hand mixer or stand mixer: Makes it easier to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling.

5. Rubber spatula: Helps scrape the bowl and spread the filling evenly.

6. Measuring cups and spoons: Keep the ingredient quantities accurate.

7. Cooling rack: Allows the cake to cool before slicing.

Preparation and Cooking Time

How to Make Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Follow these five steps to make a buttery cake base with a smooth, gooey cream cheese topping.

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9 × 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow or white cake mix, 1 large egg, and ½ cup melted butter. Mix until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, pushing it slightly up the sides.

What to look for: The base should be thick enough to press into place rather than pour like ordinary cake batter. Aim for an even layer so it bakes consistently.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

Place the softened cream cheese in a separate bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the remaining 2 large eggs and the vanilla extract. Mix until the ingredients are fully combined.

What to look for: The mixture should look creamy and relatively smooth, without noticeable lumps of cream cheese. Using softened cream cheese makes this step much easier.

Step 3: Add the Powdered Sugar and Butter

Gradually add the 2 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated. Slowly pour in the remaining ½ cup melted butter while continuing to mix.

Beat until the filling is creamy and evenly blended. If using chopped nuts, gently fold in the ½ cup now.

What to look for: The filling should be thick but spreadable. Adding the powdered sugar gradually helps keep it from puffing out of the bowl and makes mixing easier.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the cream cheese filling over the prepared cake base. Spread it evenly to cover the surface.

Bake for 40–50 minutes, beginning to check around the 35-minute mark. The edges should look set and lightly golden, while the center should remain slightly jiggly.

Avoid baking until the entire surface is completely firm. The filling continues to settle as the cake cools, and overbaking can leave it dry or less gooey.

What to look for: Set edges with a soft, gently trembling center. The cake should not look completely liquid in the middle.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let the cake cool in the pan before cutting it into squares.

For a softer texture, serve at room temperature. For cleaner slices, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife.

What to look for: The center should become more stable as the cake cools while retaining its soft, creamy texture.

Expert Tips for the Best Gooey Butter Cake

Follow these practical tips to get the right balance of a set cake base and a soft, creamy topping.

1. Use softened cream cheese. Let the cream cheese soften before mixing. Cold cream cheese can leave small lumps in the filling, making it harder to achieve a smooth consistency.

2. Measure the ingredients carefully. Use the specified 15.25-ounce cake mix and measure the powdered sugar accurately. Changing the proportions can affect the filling’s sweetness and texture.

3. Press the base evenly. Spread the cake dough to a consistent thickness across the bottom of the pan. An uneven base can bake inconsistently, leaving some areas firmer than others.

4. Mix the filling until smooth. Beat the cream cheese first, then incorporate the eggs, vanilla, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to catch any unmixed ingredients.

5. Watch the cake rather than relying only on time. Ovens vary, so begin checking around 35 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden, with a slight jiggle remaining in the center.

6. Avoid overbaking. The filling needs time to set, but baking until the center is completely firm can compromise the gooey texture. Remember that the cake will continue to settle as it cools.

7. Let the cake cool before slicing. Cutting too early can cause the soft filling to spread and produce messy portions. A completely cooled cake is easier to cut into neat squares.

Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cake Variations

One reason this recipe is so versatile is that the cake mix provides an easy starting point for different flavors. These variations preserve the basic method while giving you options for different occasions.

1. Yellow Cake Mix Version

Use yellow cake mix for the classic look and flavor. Its buttery, vanilla-like profile pairs naturally with the sweet cream cheese filling.

2. White Cake Mix Version

Replace the yellow cake mix with white cake mix. The result has a lighter-colored base and a more delicate cake flavor, while the rich filling remains the star.

3. Nutty Gooey Butter Cake

Fold ½ cup chopped nuts into the cream cheese filling before baking. Pecans or walnuts are good options if you want a little crunch against the creamy topping.

4. Vanilla-Forward Version

Use the specified vanilla extract and a white cake mix for a simple, vanilla-focused variation. Keep the other ingredient measurements unchanged.

5. Extra-Gooey Center

For a softer center, watch the cake carefully toward the end of baking and remove it when the edges are set and the middle still jiggles slightly. Do not shorten the baking time so much that the center remains raw.

6. Neat, Firm Slices

If you prefer more defined squares, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting. This does not require changing the ingredients, and it makes the soft filling easier to portion.

7. Holiday Dessert Squares

Cut the cooled cake into small squares and arrange them on a serving platter for holiday parties, potlucks, or dessert tables. The rich flavor makes smaller portions a practical choice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Even an easy ooey gooey cake can turn out differently depending on how the ingredients are mixed and how long the cake bakes.

• Using cold cream cheese: This can leave lumps in the filling. Soften it before beating.

• Making the base too uneven: Press the cake mixture into a consistent layer for more uniform baking.

• Adding powdered sugar all at once: Mix it in gradually to reduce mess and help the filling blend evenly.

• Overbaking the center: A completely firm center may indicate that the cake has baked longer than necessary for its signature gooey texture.

• Cutting while hot: The filling will be softer and harder to portion neatly. Let the cake cool first.

• Assuming the cake should look like a regular cake: The center is meant to remain softer than a conventional sponge cake, so a slight jiggle is expected before cooling.

What Makes Ooey Gooey Butter Cake So Gooey?

The signature texture comes from the combination of a dense cake-mix base and a rich cream cheese topping. Unlike a traditional frosted cake, this dessert has a soft filling that stays moist and tender after baking.

The eggs help the filling set, while the butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar create its rich flavor and creamy consistency. The key is to bake the cake until the edges are set without waiting for the center to become completely firm.

What to Serve With Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

This cake is rich and sweet, so simple accompaniments work best.

• Fresh berries: Strawberries or raspberries add a refreshing contrast to the buttery filling.

• Vanilla ice cream: A scoop makes the dessert feel more indulgent, especially when the cake is served at room temperature.

• Freshly brewed coffee: Black coffee balances the sweetness and pairs well with the cream cheese flavor.

• Hot tea: Plain black tea or lightly flavored tea offers a simple accompaniment.

• Fresh fruit: Sliced apples, strawberries, or other seasonal fruit add freshness to each serving.

For a party, cut the cake into small squares and serve it alongside coffee, tea, or a platter of fresh fruit.

How to Store and Reheat Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Because the filling contains cream cheese and eggs, refrigerate leftover gooey butter cake in an airtight container within two hours of baking or serving. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let individual portions sit briefly at room temperature before serving, or warm them gently in the microwave in short intervals if you prefer a softer texture. Avoid overheating, which can make the filling too loose.

Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Nutrition Information

Estimated nutrition facts for Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, based on the listed ingredients. Values may vary depending on the cake mix brand, ingredient measurements, and serving size.

Serving size: 1 piece (assuming 15 servings per 9 × 13-inch cake)

• Calories: 430 kcal

• Total Fat: 22 g

• Saturated Fat: 13 g

• Cholesterol: 95 mg

• Sodium: 390 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 56 g

• Dietary Fiber: 0 g

• Total Sugars: 43 g

• Protein: 4 g

Note: These values are estimates, not laboratory-tested nutrition facts. Actual nutrition will vary by brand and portion size. Optional chopped nuts are not included in this estimate.

Yield: 24

Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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Paula Deen’s ooey gooey butter cake is a rich, buttery dessert with a soft yellow cake base and a creamy, sweet cream cheese topping that stays wonderfully gooey in the center. This easy version uses boxed cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar to create the signature texture without making a cake batter from scratch.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow or white cake mix
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• Cooking spray
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ½ cup chopped nuts

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9 × 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow or white cake mix, 1 large egg, and ½ cup melted butter. Mix until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, pushing it slightly up the sides.
What to look for: The base should be thick enough to press into place rather than pour like ordinary cake batter. Aim for an even layer so it bakes consistently.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Place the softened cream cheese in a separate bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the remaining 2 large eggs and the vanilla extract. Mix until the ingredients are fully combined.
What to look for: The mixture should look creamy and relatively smooth, without noticeable lumps of cream cheese. Using softened cream cheese makes this step much easier.

Step 3: Add the Powdered Sugar and Butter
Gradually add the 2 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated. Slowly pour in the remaining ½ cup melted butter while continuing to mix.
Beat until the filling is creamy and evenly blended. If using chopped nuts, gently fold in the ½ cup now.
What to look for: The filling should be thick but spreadable. Adding the powdered sugar gradually helps keep it from puffing out of the bowl and makes mixing easier.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Pour the cream cheese filling over the prepared cake base. Spread it evenly to cover the surface.
Bake for 40–50 minutes, beginning to check around the 35-minute mark. The edges should look set and lightly golden, while the center should remain slightly jiggly.
Avoid baking until the entire surface is completely firm. The filling continues to settle as the cake cools, and overbaking can leave it dry or less gooey.
What to look for: Set edges with a soft, gently trembling center. The cake should not look completely liquid in the middle.

Step 5: Cool and Serve
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Let the cake cool in the pan before cutting it into squares.
For a softer texture, serve at room temperature. For cleaner slices, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife.
What to look for: The center should become more stable as the cake cools while retaining its soft, creamy texture.

Notes

Because the filling contains cream cheese and eggs, refrigerate leftover gooey butter cake in an airtight container within two hours of baking or serving. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let individual portions sit briefly at room temperature before serving, or warm them gently in the microwave in short intervals if you prefer a softer texture. Avoid overheating, which can make the filling too loose.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 430

Frequently Asked Questions About Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

When you give this Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.

1. Is Paula Deen’s ooey gooey butter cake made with cake mix?

Yes. This version uses a 15.25-ounce box of yellow or white cake mix, combined with an egg and melted butter to create the base. A separate cream cheese filling is poured over it before baking.

2. Why is my gooey butter cake not gooey in the middle?

Overbaking is a common reason. The center should remain slightly jiggly when the cake comes out of the oven, while the edges should be set. The filling will firm up as the cake cools, so avoid waiting until the entire surface feels completely firm.

3. Can I use white cake mix instead of yellow cake mix?

Yes. White cake mix works as a direct alternative in this recipe. The base will have a lighter color and a slightly different flavor, but the cream cheese filling is prepared the same way.

4. Does gooey butter cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes. This recipe contains cream cheese and eggs, so leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container. For food safety, refrigerate the cake within two hours of baking or serving.

5. How do I know when ooey gooey butter cake is done?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set outer portion, with a center that still jiggles slightly when the pan is gently moved. Begin checking around 35 minutes, although the full baking time may be 40–50 minutes.

6. Can I make Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the cake, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve. Chilling helps the filling become more stable, making it easier to cut into neat squares.

7. Can I freeze gooey butter cake?

You can freeze portions in a freezer-safe, airtight container. For better results, let the cake cool completely, cut it into squares, and separate layers with parchment paper. Thaw portions in the refrigerator before serving. The texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.

8. Can I add nuts to Paula Deen’s gooey butter cake?

Yes. The recipe includes ½ cup chopped nuts as an optional ingredient. Fold them into the filling before pouring it over the cake base. Pecans and walnuts are suitable choices for added crunch.

9. What is the difference between gooey butter cake and regular cake?

Regular cake usually has a relatively uniform, fluffy crumb throughout. Gooey butter cake has two distinct layers: a firmer, buttery base and a dense, soft cream cheese topping. Its center is intentionally more tender and creamy than that of a conventional cake.

10. What are the best Paula Deen gooey butter cake variations?

The simplest variations include using yellow or white cake mix, adding chopped pecans or walnuts, and adjusting how long the cake cools before serving. You can also serve it with fresh berries, coffee, or vanilla ice cream to complement its rich flavor.

This Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake recipe turns a box of cake mix and a handful of everyday ingredients into a rich, creamy dessert with very little preparation. The buttery base, sweet cream cheese topping, and soft center make it a natural choice for parties, holidays, and casual family desserts.

For the best results, use softened cream cheese, mix the filling until smooth, and pay close attention to the center during baking. Once the cake has cooled, cut it into squares and enjoy its signature combination of buttery cake and gooey sweetness.

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