Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (Easy Copycat Recipe)
If you’re a fan of Paula Deen’s famous Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, this easy dessert recipe is for you! Two delightful layers combine to create a rich, decadent dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth. Whether you call it Cream Cheese Squares or Chess Cake, one thing’s for sure – it’s absolutely irresistible.
Legend has it that Gooey Butter Cake originated in St. Louis, Missouri, where it was accidentally created in the 1930s by a German baker. The baker was attempting to make a regular butter cake but mistakenly reversed the butter-to-flour proportions, resulting in a dense, gooey cake rather than the intended light, airy one. Despite the mix-up, the cake quickly gained popularity, becoming a beloved dessert in the St. Louis area.
This cake’s gooey texture and rich flavor have made it a regional classic, often passed down through families and adapted with various flavorings over the years. It is also known by many names, including St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake, Chess Squares, or Texas Gold Bars, depending on the region, reflecting its wide appeal and various interpretations.
Paula Deen’s Connection
Paula Deen, the “Queen of Southern Cooking,” helped popularize Ooey Gooey Butter Cake nationwide by featuring her version of the dessert in her restaurants, cookbooks, and television shows. Her adaptation, often called Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, features a cake mix base and a rich cream cheese layer, making it even more decadent. Deen’s recipe adds a Southern twist to this traditional Midwestern dessert, helping it gain wider recognition across the U.S.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen restaurants, which serve a variety of Southern comfort foods, have also featured Ooey Gooey Butter Cake as a signature item, attracting many fans of the dessert who either enjoy it at her restaurants or recreate it at home. Her version is closely linked to the classic St. Louis recipe but adds an extra layer of indulgence with cream cheese and powdered sugar, giving it a cheesecake-like texture atop the dense cake base.
Thanks to Deen’s influence, this gooey cake has become a Southern dessert favorite despite its Midwestern roots. It’s now a staple for potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: A store-bought yellow cake mix forms the bottom layer, while the top layer is made with powdered sugar and cream cheese.
- Easy to Make: With only a few steps, this easy recipe can be whipped up in no time using kitchen staples.
- Perfect for Cheesecake Lovers: The gooey cream cheese layer on top will remind you of your favorite cheesecake.
- Great for Any Occasion: This dessert is a crowd-pleaser at potlucks, family dinners, or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, melted
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3½ cups powdered sugar (it’s also called confectioners’ sugar) = a 16-ounce box
How to Make Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Base Layer: In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, one egg, and melted butter. Beat at medium speed until a dense cake base forms. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Prepare the Gooey Top Layer: In the same bowl, mix the remaining two eggs, softened cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown. The center should still be slightly gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!
If you can’t get enough of rich, buttery Southern desserts, you’re in the right place. Try Pecan Pie for a classic holiday favorite, or my Pumpkin Crunch Cake when you’re craving something cozy and seasonal. For another melt-in-your-mouth treat, my Coconut Cake is pure bliss – sweet and full of Southern charm.
Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (Clone)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Place cake mix, 1 egg, and stick of butter into the bowl of mixer and beat for 1 minute until it becomes a soft dough.
- Spread mixture evenly over bottom baking dish.
- Combine remaining eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar in mixer bowl and beat until smooth.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over cake batter and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Tips for Perfect Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Lining the Pan: Use parchment paper to line your baking dish, making it easier to lift out the whole cake after cooling.
- Texture Tip: The cake should be set around the edges but slightly gooey in the middle. Be careful not to overbake!
Storage
- Room Temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to cover it tightly and maintain its gooey texture.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
- Freezing: You can also freeze this dessert! Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cake Mix Flavors: Switch up the flavor by using lemon, chocolate, or spice cake mix instead of yellow.
- Add-ins: Sprinkle white chocolate chips or crushed nuts on top of the cream cheese mixture, or drizzle with caramel for extra indulgence.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace the cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives to accommodate a dairy-sensitive crowd.
Last Bite
Did you bake this copycat Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below, snap a picture, and tag @southernkissedblog when you share it on social media. Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it again next time your sweet tooth strikes!
This recipe is so easy to make and my husband absolutely loves it. He loves it so much, it is the one cake that he will actually bake!