Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, I was surrounded by a culinary landscape that was as unique as it was delicious. Our city is famous for its quirky yet beloved delicacies, including toasted ravioli, the prosperity sandwich, pork steaks, provel cheese, and of course, the iconic gooey butter cake. If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting gooey butter cake, you’re missing out on a true St. Louis experience. This sweet treat was born in the 1930s when a local baker accidentally mixed up a regular cake batter, creating a gooey masterpiece that has become a staple of our city’s culinary identity.
Gooey butter cake is typically sold as a square cake, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and is often enjoyed as a coffee cake rather than a traditional dessert. Its dense, flat base and gooey, buttery top layer make it a delight to savor with a cup of coffee or as a sweet snack.
A few years back, as the holiday season approached at my workplace in Chicagoland, we decided to share treats with our coworkers. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce my colleagues to the wonders of St. Louis cuisine. I had initially planned to purchase a gooey butter cake from a St. Louis bakery during my Thanksgiving visit, but as often happens with quick trips back home, time slipped away, and I found myself 200 miles outside of St. Louis before I remembered.
However, fate was on my side. I had inherited my late grandmother’s treasured recipe for gooey butter cake, which I had been saving for just the right occasion. This recipe, passed down through generations, holds a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and I’m confident that it will bring a taste of St. Louis magic to your table.
For those who have never tried gooey butter cake, be prepared for a delightful surprise. Non-natives often fall in love with its unusual yet irresistible charm, and I’m sure your family and friends will be no exception. So, take a culinary journey to St. Louis with this recipe, and let the gooey goodness transport you to the heart of our vibrant city.
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*This post was originally published on December 12, 2013
Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 1 18.25 ounce package yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- With a spoon, mix together cake mix, melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 egg
- Pat into 2- 8x8 inch pan
- With an electric mixer, mix together cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs.
- Slowly beat in confectioner's sugar.Pour over cake layer.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Allow cake to completely cool before serving.
