Crunchy Creamy Sweet

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
×
You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dessert

Gooey Butter Cake

Published: Apr 1, 2013 · Modified: May 8, 2025 by Anna 30 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Jump to Recipe Print Pin Recipe Comment

Gooey Butter Cake - the famous dessert from St. Louis, made from scratch right in your kitchen! You will love this rich and delicious treat!

Side shot of a piece of gooey butter cake on blue plate.

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE

This cake, ladies and gentlemen, is one of those cakes you just have to try at least once in your life. It's famous for the name and the texture. And it's absolutely delicious. How can it not be with words like "gooey" and "butter" in the name? 🙂

There is a yeast-free version of this cake and a lot of dispute of to which one is the original St.Louis version. I wanted to try the yeast-cake crust just because I was curious how will the cake bake. The bottom baked into a perfect cake-y base for the gooey buttery sweet topping.

Close up shot of one square of the gooey butter cake.

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Once the cake cools completely, the topping sets a bit so if you are like me you may want to pop the plate into the microwave for few seconds to warm it up slightly.

MORE MUST-MAKE CAKE RECIPES:

New York Style Crumb Cake

Texas Sheet Cake

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Cranberry Bliss Bars

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE RECIPE:

Gooey Butter Cake | CrunchyCreamySweet.com

Gooey Butter Cake

Author: Anna
Gooey Butter Cake - the famous dessert from St. Louis, made from scratch right in your kitchen! You will love this rich and delicious treat!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 servings
Calories 530 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

for the cake:

  • 3 tablespoon milk room temperature
  • 2 tablespoon warm water
  • 1.5 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 ¾ c all-purpose flour

for the filling:

  • 3 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoon water
  • 2.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 tablespoon unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1.5 c granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 c and 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9"x13" baking dish or line with parchment paper. Set aside.

to make the cake base:

  • In a measuring cup, combine milk, warm water and a dash of sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the surface and give it a few stirs. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 220 degrees F. (this step is optional; it just cuts down on a rising time)
  • In the meantime, cream butter, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl of your stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add egg and mix well.
  • Add flour alternating with yeast mixture until smooth dough forms. The dough will be sticky but should not be wet. It will not pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Transfer the dough onto prepared baking dish and patting with your hands, spread it to cover entire bottom of the dish. It may take a while so be patient.
  • Cover the dish with a kitchen towel and set in a warm and draft-free place to rise for 2 to 3 hours OR preheated but turned-off oven for about 30 minutes.
  • Once the base is ready, take it out of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

make the filling:

  • In a small measuring cup or a bowl, mix together corn syrup, water and vanilla extract. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter for 20 seconds. Gradually add sugar and cream together until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Mix in the egg.
  • Add the flour alternating with corn syrup mixture. Beat together until smooth.
  • Drop dollops of the filling over the cake base. Spread with a spatula and smooth out the top.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. The topping will be gooey.
  • Let cool in pan.
  • Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 770IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1.9mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

 

More Dessert Recipes

  • Square photo of a slice of lemon cake on a dessert plate with fork.
    Easy Lemon Cake
  • Square image of a serving of eggless chocolate cake with frosting on a white marble plate.
    Eggless Chocolate Cake
  • Square photo of a cake with peach slices and dusting of powdered sugar.
    Easy Peach Cake
  • Mango popsicles on ice.
    Mango Pineapple Popsicles

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    April 05, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    I'm gullible, too. You can't go wrong with gooey and butter. Yum!

    Reply
  2. gerryspeirs says

    April 03, 2013 at 1:41 am

    I need to try this Anna. I went to brunch on Easter Sunday and one of the items on the menu was gooey butter cake. I didn't order it but tasted my wife's and wished I had! Soo good..

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 03, 2013 at 9:30 am

      And I have the chocolate magic cake you made on my list! Thanks, Gerry!

      Reply
  3. Nancy says

    April 02, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    I get fooled all the time, regardless of whether it's April Fool's Day. Damn, I'm gullible! My husband's cousin played a trick on all of us yesterday by posting something totally shocking on Facebook. Did I fall for it? Of course! I'll be hiding in a closet too and gladly if I had this cake. That gooey butter topping is indeed magic.

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 5:39 pm

      lol That closet is getting full! 🙂 Thanks so much, Nancy!

      Reply
  4. curryandcomfort says

    April 02, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    No April Fools tricks here. I'll only give you a magic trick about this cake... I'll make it disappear.... right into my belly. 🙂

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 5:39 pm

      lol I love it! Thanks, Ramona!

      Reply
  5. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says

    April 02, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    I managed to make it through April Fool's Day without anyone playing any pranks on me. Yay! This butter cake sounds spectacular!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      Thanks, Amanda!

      Reply
  6. Nicole says

    April 02, 2013 at 10:39 am

    People are always tricking me because I am A) very easily scared and B) really gullible so Aprils Fools days is not my favorite holiday. I have always wanted to try gooey butter cake but I have not gotten around to making it. I'll have to this weekend!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      Yep for nr.1 and 2.! 🙂 Let me know what you think, Nicole! Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Savory Simple says

    April 02, 2013 at 3:57 am

    What I wouldn't give to get my hands on some of this cake! Even just the name is so enticing.

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 9:07 am

      Now if only I could poof you a slice 🙂 Thanks, Jen!

      Reply
  8. Jen Laceda says

    April 01, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    What You Tube rumour??

    I'm easy to trick, too, so I don't really like AFD! But your butter cake looks divine in its simplicity! No tricks, no shortcuts...just a simple, straight forward cake! LOVE!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 02, 2013 at 9:08 am

      There were rumors that YouTube is shutting down on April 1st.. 🙂 I know... 🙂 Thanks, Jen!

      Reply
  9. Kate @ Diethood says

    April 01, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    No one has tried to fool me, yet, today... I hope it stays that way! 🙂
    Love me some gooey butter cake... yours looks phenomenal!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 01, 2013 at 8:08 pm

      Aww, thanks, Kate!

      Reply
  10. Jean says

    April 01, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    I'm afraid I'm one who falls for April Fools tricks, too. I've escaped it so far this year but the day's not over yet! Love this cake, especially the gooey top!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 01, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      So relieved to know I am not alone.. 🙂 Thanks, Jean!

      Reply
  11. Averie Cooks says

    April 01, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    I hate being tricked and not a fan of the day. I am a fan of this cake though!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 01, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      Glad to know I am not the only one who doesn't like April Fools Day. 🙂 Thanks, Averie!

      Reply
  12. Anita at Hungry Couple says

    April 01, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    I hate April Fools and practical jokes. I'll hide in the closet with you...and this cake. 🙂

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 01, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      lol You got it, Anita! Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  13. marcie @ flavor the moments says

    April 01, 2013 at 11:57 am

    That cake looks delicious, and that's no joke!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      April 01, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      lol Thanks, Marcie!

      Reply
Profile photo of the author of Crunchy Creamy Sweet website.

Hi! I'm Anna!

Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family-approved!

read more...

Easy Dinners

  • Square image of chicken in teriyaki sauce, rice and broccoli in a white bowl.
    Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
  • Asian chicken on rice.
    Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
  • Square image of creamy garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Garlic Chicken
  • Lemon garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
  • Chicken in mushroom garlic sauce in pan.
    Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken
  • Beef noodle casserole in a baking dish.
    Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole

Popular Recipes

  • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Shrimp
  • Square image of four Russet potatoes on a rack in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
    Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
  • Noodles with peanut sauce and green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks.
    Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
  • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
  • Pasta salad with tomatoes and bacon in a glass serving bowl.
    BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
  • Square image of KFC coleslaw in a white bowl with red plaid napkin.
    KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe

Featured in

Logos of publications like yahoo, Parade magazine, MSN.

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Crunchy Creamy Sweet All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required