I absolutely adore baking this Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe because it brings together the comforting richness of classic gooey butter cake with the irresistible nutty depth of browned butter. From the moment you cut into its luscious, soft center to when the fragrant aroma fills your kitchen, it’s a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s perfect for sharing at family gatherings or simply indulging when you want something sweet and memorable.
Why You'll Love This Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe
What really excites me about this Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe is its unique flavor profile. The browned butter adds such a beautiful, toasty character that elevates the traditional gooey butter cake, giving it a slightly caramelized, nutty complexity that you don’t get from just plain butter. The cake is luscious and indulgent without being overly sweet, striking that perfect balance I crave in a dessert.
Beyond flavor, I appreciate how straightforward this recipe is to prepare. Using a boxed yellow cake mix might sound like a shortcut, but when combined with browned butter and the creamy filling, you get the best of both worlds: convenience and incredible taste. I love how accessible this recipe feels—it’s perfect for when you want to wow your friends or family without spending hours in the kitchen.
Also, this cake is ideal for so many occasions. Whether I’m making it for a holiday potluck, a casual weekend brunch, or just because I need a sweet pick-me-up, it never disappoints. What makes it stand out is that gooey, soft, and rich filling contrasted with the lightly crisp crust on top. I think once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a go-to crowd-pleaser like it has for me.
Ingredients You'll Need
The ingredients for this Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe are wonderfully simple yet each one plays an important role in contributing to the cake’s texture, flavor, and that signature golden color. With just a few pantry staples and one small special step—browning the butter—you’ll create something truly delicious.
TIP : You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below
- Golden butter recipe yellow cake mix: This forms the flavorful, tender base of the crust and gives the cake its beautiful color.
- Salted butter: Browning this butter adds that irresistible nutty, caramel-like flavor that’s key to this recipe.
- Eggs: They provide structure in both the crust and the creamy filling.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is essential for the gooey, smooth filling consistency.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling while keeping it velvety smooth without any graininess.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and warm sweetness to the filling.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its aromatic warmth.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Get your pan ready because this cake comes together quickly.
Step 2: Melt and carefully brown the salted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Watch it closely as it foams, then turns a lovely golden brown with a nutty aroma—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Once browned, set it aside to cool for about 5 minutes so it doesn’t curdle the batter.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with the yellow cake mix and two eggs. Use a spatula to mix until a thick dough forms, then press this dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. The texture might feel a bit dense, but don't worry—it will bake into a perfect crust.
Step 4: For the filling, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and an additional egg in another large bowl. Mix until the filling is completely smooth with no lumps. This creamy topping is what creates that famous gooey center we all love.
Step 5: Pour the filling carefully over the pressed dough, leaving about a ¼-inch border around the edges so the crust can rise up nicely during baking. Smooth the top gently with a spatula if needed.
Step 6: Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes. You’re looking for a slight crust to form on top, but the center will still feel soft and not fully set like a standard cake. It should be firm enough to slice but maintain that classic gooey texture.
Step 7: Once baked, let the cake cool completely in the pan. I love to dust the top with a little extra powdered sugar before serving for a pretty finish.
Servings and Timing
This Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe yields about 16 generous servings, making it great for parties or large families. The prep time is quick—about 10 to 15 minutes—mostly spent browning the butter and mixing the batters. Baking time ranges from 40 to 45 minutes, and I recommend allowing at least 30 minutes of cooling time so the cake sets properly for neat slices. Altogether, you’re looking at roughly an hour from start to finish, which is pretty speedy for such an indulgent dessert.
How to Serve This Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe
When I serve this cake, I like to keep things simple to let its rich flavors shine. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a creamy contrast to the buttery, dense cake. If you’re feeling adventurous, I’ve also served it alongside roasted berries or a drizzle of caramel sauce to add a fruity or sweet highlight.
For presentation, a light dusting of powdered sugar on top really brightens the look and adds a touch of elegance. I prefer cutting the cake into modest squares about 2-by-2 inches because the richness means you don’t need much per serving to satisfy any sweet tooth. This size also works perfectly for sharing at potlucks and holiday gatherings.
As for drinks, I find this cake pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee or rich hot chocolate. For a grown-up twist, a glass of tawny port or a nutty amaretto cocktail complements the brown butter notes nicely. Whether it’s a casual snack or a dessert centerpiece for a dinner party, I like serving the cake at room temperature or slightly warm to truly enjoy its gooey texture.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe is how easy it is to modify to suit different tastes or dietary needs. For example, if you want to add a little twist, I sometimes fold in a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts to the crust dough for extra crunch and richness that plays off the brown butter beautifully.
If you need a gluten-free version, I recommend using a gluten-free yellow cake mix and double-checking your other ingredients for gluten content. Vegan adaptations are also possible by substituting plant-based butter, vegan cream cheese, and egg replacers, though the texture will be a bit different but still delightful.
For a flavor variation, adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the filling can enhance the brown butter flavor and add a subtle mocha undertone. Alternatively, swapping light brown sugar for dark brown sugar gives a deeper molasses note. You could even try baking this recipe in muffin tins for individual gooey butter cakes that are perfect for grab-and-go treats or party favors.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe, I usually keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. You can store it at room temperature if it will be eaten within two days, but I prefer refrigeration for up to 4 or 5 days to keep it fresh, especially because of the cream cheese filling.
Freezing
This cake freezes quite well, which is great for making ahead or saving extra portions. I slice the cake into individual servings, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. It should keep beautifully for up to 3 months. To thaw, I recommend moving pieces to the fridge overnight before eating.
Reheating
When I reheat leftovers, I take the cake portion out of the fridge and microwave it for about 15 to 20 seconds to bring back that soft, gooey feel. Be careful not to overheat or it might dry out the edges. Another option is warming it gently in a preheated 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil to avoid over-browning. Avoid reheating at too high a temperature or for too long since this cake’s delicate texture can suffer.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade cake mix instead of a boxed yellow cake mix?
Absolutely! While a boxed yellow cake mix is convenient and consistent, you can substitute your favorite homemade yellow cake mix recipe without any issues. Just make sure it’s a standard yellow cake batter to keep the right texture for the crust.
Why do I need to brown the butter? Can I just melt it?
Browning the butter is what gives this cake its signature nutty and caramelized flavor, which really sets it apart from a standard gooey butter cake. Simply melting the butter won’t develop those rich, complex flavors, so I highly recommend not skipping this step.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
You’ll see a slightly firm crust form on the top, but the inside should still feel soft and slightly jiggly—not fully set like a traditional cake. The edges might pull slightly away from the pan. Overbaking can dry out the gooey center, so start checking around 40 minutes and use these signs as your guide.
Can I make this cake in a larger pan?
You can, but you’ll need to adjust baking time accordingly. If you use a 9x13 pan, the cake will be thinner and bake faster—start checking around 30 minutes. The texture will still be gooey, but it won’t be as thick or indulgent as the 9x9 version.
Is it best to serve this cake warm or cold?
I personally love it slightly warm or at room temperature because that’s when the filling is luscious and gooey. Refrigerated cake is firmer, which some people prefer, but reheating gently brings back the soft texture and intensifies the flavors beautifully.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a truly indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert, I encourage you to try this Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe. It’s one of those special treats that combines simplicity with incredible flavor, perfect for celebrating any occasion or satisfying your sweet tooth. I know once you make it, it will quickly become one of your favorites like it has for me.
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Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Gooey Butter Cake with Brown Butter is a rich, buttery dessert featuring a golden yellow cake crust infused with nutty brown butter and a sweet, creamy cream cheese filling dusted with powdered sugar. Perfectly baked to achieve a gooey top with a slight crust, this 16-serving cake combines classic comfort with a delicious twist.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box golden butter recipe yellow cake mix
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 eggs
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar (1 pound)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt and cook the ½ cup salted butter while watching carefully. Stir occasionally until it turns a golden brown color and releases a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.
- Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with the box of yellow cake mix. Add two eggs and mix until a dough forms. Using a spatula, press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9x9 pan.
- Prepare the Filling: In another large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 4 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 egg until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust in the pan. Leave a small rim around the edges clear to allow the crust to rise during baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The top will develop a slight crust but remain gooey underneath—not jelly-like.
- Cool and Garnish: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Garnish the top with additional powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
- Watch the butter carefully while browning to avoid burning; remove from heat as soon as it turns golden and fragrant.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- Do not overbake; the cake should have a gooey center with a slight crust on top.
- If you prefer, sprinkle additional powdered sugar just before serving for an attractive finish.
- For best results, use a 9x9 inch square pan; different pan sizes may alter baking time.
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