By Magda Ellis

Gooey Butter cake is a staple in the city of St. Louis. Whenever I come over to St. Louis every couple of years, I make gooey butter cake with my grandpa.

Gooey Butter Cake with Coffee Cake layer

  • About 2 sticks about 14 tablespoons of unsalted butter (make sure it is softened)
  • 1 lb yeast-raised coffee cake (store bought or you can make one if you know how)
  • 9 x 12 aluminum pan
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ¾ cups and 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 3 tablespoons of light corn syrup
  • 3 tablespoons of water
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups of flour
  • Some confectioners’ sugar

How to make it

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Butter the pan
  • Cut coffeecake into 2-inch pieces and press them onto to all sides of the baking pan to make a layer
  • With an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and salt at medium or high speed
  • Add in egg and beat in corn syrup
  • Add water and vanilla and then lower the speed to add in the flour and mix everything together
  • Poke holes in the coffeecake all over with a fork or toothpick
  • Pour batter over the top of the coffeecake and make sure it is spread evenly. Let it stand for 20 minutes
  • Put the cake in the oven for about 20-25 (you know it is ready if the batter is golden-brown and bubbly.)
  • Let the cake cool, then cut it into squares and add confectioners’ sugar on top
  • Enjoy

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

  • 1(18-ounce) devil’s food cake mix
  • 3 eggs (divided)
  • 3 ¾ cups of powdered sugar  
  • 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
  • ½ cup and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

How to make it

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 13 in metal pan
  • Beat cake mix, 1 egg, ½ cup of melted butter and then press it onto the pan (about ½ inch up the sides)
  • Set aside 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Beat cream cheese with ½ tablespoons of cocoa powder and the remaining powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat 2 eggs and ½ cup of melted butter until its smooth
  • Spread filling over the base and bake for about 25 minutes. Let it cool
  • Combine the rest of the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to dust of the cake
  • Enjoy