Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Paula’s signature St. Louis-style dessert with a buttery cake-mix crust under a rich, gooey cream cheese topping.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• 1 large egg (for crust)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs (for filling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (16 oz) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted (for filling)
• Extra powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. For the crust, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter; mix well and press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. For the filling, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then beat in the 2 eggs and the vanilla.
4. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the remaining 1/2 cup melted butter until smooth.

Spread the filling over the crust.

1. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes; the center should still be a little gooey and not fully set.
2. Cool, dust generously with powdered sugar, and cut into squares.

Notes

Adapted from Paula Deen’s famous Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.