This is a replica of the irresistible Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake! Two distinct and delicious layers come together to make a perfect, easy dessert. Great treat for parties!
Original post: August 2013 | Updated: March 2022
Why This Recipe Works
This is a super deliciously sweet and addicting dessert that is super easy to make and even easier to eat. The first time I made the famous Paula Deen ooey gooey butter cake I was absolutely blown away by its deliciousness.
I have since made the indulgent treat many times and swoon every time. It is the perfect dessert to bring to parties of any kind. Or consider making it on a Sunday and serving for dessert throughout the week!
Recipe Ingredients
Cake mix – Swap out the 1 box yellow cake mix with chocolate cake mix or really any variety for a different flavor.
Eggs – Remove eggs from the fridge 30 minutes before making the cake for best results.
Vanilla extract – Consider replacing the vanilla extract with almond extract.
Toffee bits – Replace the toffee bits with any variety of chocolate chips, if desired.
Sprinkles – The cake can look a little boring, although it certainly does not taste boring. In order to spruce up its appearance, add sprinkles after baking!
How To Make Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Bars
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set out a 9×13 baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, egg and 1 stick of butter. Using a hand-held mixer, beat on medium speed until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased pan and set aside.
Step 2
Using a hand-held mixer, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs, beating well after each addition and finally incorporate the vanilla into the mixture.
Add the powdered sugar and mix well with an electric mixer. Next add 1 stick of butter and mix until smooth. Fold in the toffee bits using a spatula.
Step 3
Pour cake mixture over cake bottom layer and spread evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, leaving the center of the cake gooey. Add sprinkles, if desired. Let cool and cut into squares.
Recipe Notes
- There is no chocolate in this recipe, but consider adding a half cup of mini chocolate chips for a chocolatey dessert.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of each piece just before serving and don’t forget the sprinkles.
- Create a pumpkin gooey butter cake by adding 1/2 cup pumpkin puree for a delicious fall dessert.
Kentucky Butter vs Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Kentucky butter cake and ooey gooey butter cake share several similarities, starting with the extra amount of butter used to make them more than just delicious. But Kentucky butter cake is a moist pound cake with a tasty butter sauce poured over top.
This gooey treat, on the other hand, is perfect as a finger food and looks more like blonde brownies. The base of the cake is yellow cake but the top layer is more creamy and almost velvety.
How To Store This Cake
You can enjoy this for a day or two sitting at room temperature in a sealed container. To freeze, tightly wrap the bars in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place inside a freezer ziploc bag.
FAQ About Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Ooey gooey butter cake does not need to be refrigerated, but doing so will extend the shelf life. When stored properly at room temperature, the cake will remain fresh for 2 days. When stored in the refrigerator, it will remain fresh for up to 5 days.
There are approximately 400 calories in a piece of ooey gooey butter cake.
Insert a toothpick into the center of the butter cake, then remove it. If the toothpick is dry, it is done baking and ready to eat.
Party Desserts
- Vanilla Sheet Cake turns out perfectly every single time. The cake is perfectly moist, flavorful and fluffy and topped with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, making it the perfect party dessert!
- Chocolate Cupcakes are super easy to make and they act as a solid base for any type of frosting. These cupcakes are moist, flavorful and chocolatey, making them the best easy dessert for any occasion!
- Cranberry Bliss Bars are even more delicious than the popular Starbucks treat. A delicious blondie is packed with cranberries, white chocolate chips and a hint of orange and is topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting!
- No Bake Strawberry Pie is a great dessert for gatherings of any kind. It is super easy to prepare and it is packed with delicious strawberry flavor!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats – Spruce up your Rice Krispies treats with this easy, no-bake dessert. Adding chocolate and peanut butter to the classic treat sends this dessert to the moon!
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Paula Deen Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 18.25 oz yellow cake mix box mix
- 1 cup salted butter softened, 2 sticks, divided
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 large eggs room temperature, divided
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 16 oz powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 8 oz milk chocolate toffee bits
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, 1 egg and 1 stick of butter. Using a hand-held mixer, beat on medium speed until combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.
- Using a hand-held mixer, beat on medium speed until combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.
- Place the cream cheese, 2 eggs and the vanilla in a large bowl. Using a hand-held mixer, beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add 1 stick of butter and beat until smooth. Fold in the toffee bits using a spatula.
- Pour mixture over top of the crust and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, leaving the center of the cake gooey. Add sprinkles, if desired. Let cool and cut into squares.
Notes
- There is no chocolate in this recipe, but consider adding a half cup of mini chocolate chips.
- Swap out the yellow cake mix with chocolate cake mix for a different flavor.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of each piece just before serving and don’t forget the sprinkles.
These were better than I imagined!! They didn’t last a day, the family kept sneaking pieces. Yum!!
That’s awesome! I can’t say they lasted long at our house either.
hello why the batter is so yellow ! i did this recipe for many years ago as a pastry in chef , thank you
This gooey butter cake definitely does look ooey gooey!! Love it!
I love this cake! I have made the recipe multiple times with different cake mix flavors. Our favorite is lemon ooey gooey cake made in a spring form pan.
I love this recipe, but I love the add ins. Toffee bits make everything better!!
Ooooo, this looks really good! Thanks for sharing!