Irresistible St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Recipe For Sweet Tooths

Decadent and rich, this St.

Louis gooey butter cake recipe will transport you straight to the heart of Missouri’s most beloved dessert.

Sweet, creamy layers melt together in a dreamy confection that defies ordinary cake expectations.

Locals have cherished this treat for generations, passing down a culinary tradition that speaks to pure comfort.

The cake unique texture combines a soft base with a luscious, gooey topping that practically begs to be devoured.

Every slice promises a delightful blend of simplicity and indulgence.

butter, sugar, and pure passion merge to create a dessert that captures the warmth of home baking.

Prepare to savor a slice of midwestern magic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Secrets to Making That Cake Extra Gooey

• Make this St. Louis classic your own with these delightful tips and variations.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the crust for a warm, spicy undertone that elevates the entire dessert.
• Scatter fresh raspberries or blueberries across the filling before baking to add bursts of fruity freshness and vibrant color.
• Mix in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top after cooling for an indulgent twist on the traditional recipe.
• Fold chopped pecans or sliced almonds into the crust mixture to introduce a delightful textural element and rich, toasted flavor profile.

Slice and Serve Gooey Butter Cake

• Cozy Dessert Companion: Pair this gooey butter cake with a warm cup of coffee or hot tea for a delightful afternoon treat that melts in your mouth.
• Sweet Breakfast Twist: Transform your morning routine by serving thin slices alongside fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent breakfast indulgence.
• Party Presentation Delight: Create an eye-catching dessert platter by cutting the cake into bite-sized squares, arranging them on a decorative tray with mint leaves for garnish, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.
• Seasonal Flavor Boost: Elevate the cake's appeal by adding seasonal toppings like caramel drizzle during autumn or fresh strawberries in spring, making each slice a delightful sensory experience.

Tips to Store St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Perfectly

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Cool Down Strategy: Let cake rest at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Chilled Preservation Trick: Store in sealed container inside refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy best texture within first 48 hours when cake remains soft and deliciously tender.
• Freezing Magic: Cut cake into individual squares before freezing. Place parchment paper between layers, then store in freezer-safe container for maximum 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator for best results.
• Serving Temperature Hack: Remove cake 15-20 minutes before serving to allow gentle warming. Dust with fresh powdered sugar right before presenting to guests for extra visual appeal and sweetness boost.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 33 minutes

Total Time: 58 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for the Iconic St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base and crisp texture for the cake's foundation, selecting unbleached flour ensures the best flavor and structure.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust with delightful caramelized edges.
• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps bind the crust ingredients, choosing high-quality unsalted butter enhances the overall taste.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates the signature gooey sweetness and helps develop the cake's signature glossy texture.
• Butter: Contributes deep, luxurious richness and smooth consistency to the filling, room temperature butter blends more easily.
• Egg: Binds the filling ingredients and provides structure, ensuring a silky and cohesive result.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize the filling and gives slight body to the gooey texture.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds creamy depth and helps create the cake's signature soft, molten center.
• Light Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and contributes to the ultra-smooth, glossy filling.
• Vanilla: Introduces warm, aromatic complexity and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Provides a classic, elegant dusting that adds visual appeal and subtle extra sweetness to the cake.

Equipment for Gooey Butter Cake That’s Truly Gooey

• 9×9-inch Square Baking Dish: Essential for creating the perfect cake shape and size.
• Electric Mixer: Critical for blending ingredients smoothly and creating light, fluffy textures.
• Pastry Cutter or Fork: Helps break butter into small, even crumbs for the perfect crust.
• Medium Bowl: Needed for mixing dry ingredients and preparing the base.
• Large Bowl: Necessary for combining wet ingredients and creating the filling.
• Wire Rack: Helps cake cool evenly after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Bake St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake the Way

• Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth sets the stage by heating to 350 degrees F and preparing a cozy 9×9-inch baking dish with a gentle butter massage.
• Crumbly Foundation Blend flour and sugar into a soft mixture, transforming butter cubes into delicate sandy particles using gentle fork pressure.
• Crust Creation Press the crumbly blend firmly into the pan's bottom, creating a smooth protective layer that slightly climbs the edges.

Dreamy Filling Magic

• Creamy Mixture Whip sugar and butter using an electric mixer until the texture becomes light and airy, about three magical minutes.
• Silky Transformation Introduce an egg, blending smoothly to create a perfectly uniform mixture without any stubborn lumps.
• Liquid Harmony Gradually combine flour and evaporated milk, ensuring each addition creates a harmonious blend.
• Final Flavor Boost Stir in corn syrup and vanilla extract, creating a luscious filling that promises delightful sweetness.

Baking Finale

• Cake Transformation Spread the filling over the prepared crust, then dust generously with a snowy layer of confectioners' sugar.
• Golden Perfection Bake for 25-33 minutes, watching for set edges and a tender center that signals cake completion.
• Serving Delight Let the cake cool completely, then slice into squares of pure comfort ready to be devoured.

Irresistible St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 58 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful St. Louis gooey butter cake marries creamy richness with crumbly texture in a classic Midwestern dessert. Home bakers can easily craft this sweet indulgence that delivers comforting flavors you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2.25 cups (532 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 1.75 cups (397 g) butter (softened at room temperature)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 0.67 cup (158 ml) evaporated milk
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) light corn syrup
• confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and lavishly coat a 9×9-inch baking vessel with unsalted butter, creating a non-stick canvas for the delectable dessert.
2. Crust Formation: Merge all-purpose flour and granulated sugar, then integrate cold butter cubes using a pastry cutter, transforming the mixture into a crumbly landscape with pea-sized butter fragments.
3. Crust Setting: Compress the crumbly foundation firmly into the baking dish, crafting an even layer that gracefully ascends the dish’s sides.
4. Filling Creation: Whip sugar and butter using an electric mixer until the blend becomes ethereally light and voluminous, approximately three minutes.
5. Liquid Integration: Introduce the egg at minimal speed, then methodically alternate flour and evaporated milk additions, ensuring a silky, lump-free batter.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Fold in corn syrup and vanilla extract, stirring until the ingredients harmonize into a cohesive mixture.
7. Assembly: Cascade the filling over the prepared crust, using a spatula to distribute evenly across the entire surface.
8. Baking Process: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking for 25-33 minutes until the edges set and the center maintains a subtle wobble.
9. Cooling and Presentation: Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, then dust generously with confectioners’ sugar and slice into elegant squares.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold butter for the crust to achieve a crumbly, flaky texture that provides a perfect base for the gooey filling.
• Mixing Technique: Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy to create a smooth, airy filling that contributes to the cake’s signature texture.
• Baking Time Watch: Monitor the cake closely during the last 5-8 minutes of baking; the edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly for the authentic gooey consistency.
• Sugar Dusting Tip: Dust confectioners’ sugar just before serving to prevent moisture absorption and maintain the cake’s delicate powdered sugar topping.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Midwestern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg