Name: Lemon Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar; Zest of 1 lemon; Juice of 1 lemon

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert that’s beautifully bright, impossibly soft, and downright decadent, look no further than Lemon Gooey Butter Cake. This classic treat combines a vibrant lemony cake base with a dreamy, rich cream cheese layer that stays delightfully gooey in the center. Each bite bursts with citrus flavor and melts in your mouth, making it just the thing to bring to spring gatherings or to enjoy with your afternoon coffee.

Lemon Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple staples come together to create something truly magical! Each ingredient in Lemon Gooey Butter Cake plays a key role in building its iconic flavor and impressive texture, so don’t skip a thing.

1 box lemon cake mix: Instantly delivers a punchy lemon flavor and does most of the heavy lifting for the cakey base.
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and helps bind the base into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth foundation.
1 large egg: Ensures the crust holds together while keeping it tender.
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (softened): The secret to that creamy, gooey top layer—let it sit at room temperature for easy mixing.
2 large eggs: These create structure and silkiness in the gooey filling.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A hint of vanilla rounds out the zingy lemon and intensifies the sweet aroma.
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps keep it lusciously dense and smooth.
Zest of 1 lemon: For an extra kick of fresh, fragrant citrus in every bite.
Juice of 1 lemon: Adds brightness and balance, ensuring your Lemon Gooey Butter Cake is refreshingly tangy.

How to Make Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot and ready for baking. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a swipe of butter. This will ensure your Lemon Gooey Butter Cake comes out with smooth, clean edges and doesn’t stick to the pan.

Step 2: Mix and Press the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix everything together until you have a thick, cohesive dough. This may look dense, but that’s exactly what you want—the sturdy foundation for all that gooey filling! Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure it reaches the corners and is smooth all over.

Step 3: Prepare the Gooey Lemon Filling

In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 2 large eggs, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, and powdered sugar. Start mixing on low to prevent powdered sugar clouds, then bump up to medium-high until you have a super smooth, creamy, and slightly thick batter. This filling is what makes the Lemon Gooey Butter Cake the stuff of dessert daydreams.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the luscious cream cheese filling over your cake base, spreading it out with a spatula until the crust is completely covered. Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges should turn barely golden, and the center will be set but still have a gentle jiggle—that’s your sign not to overbake! This wobbly center settles into the gooey, dreamy texture you want as it cools.

Step 5: Cool, Slice, and Finish

Let the cake cool completely in its pan. Patience is key here—while tempting, slicing too early will turn your bars messy. Once fully cooled, dust the top with more powdered sugar for a bakery finish. Then, slice, serve, and get ready for a chorus of “Wow!”

How to Serve Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

Garnishes

For that irresistible bakery-worthy touch, a generous veil of powdered sugar is a classic move. If you want to go further, add a few curls of fresh lemon zest, a twist of candied lemon peel, or even some edible flowers for a garden-party vibe. The goal is to make each square just as lovely as it is delicious!

Side Dishes

Lemon Gooey Butter Cake shines all on its own, but pairing it with a fresh berry salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream truly elevates dessert time. For a light, delicate flavor contrast, serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream, or plate with a few raspberries or blueberries for extra color and a hint of tartness.

Creative Ways to Present

Think beyond plain bars! Cut the cake into dainty triangles for afternoon tea, layer pieces into mason jars with whipped cream for a dessert parfait, or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes for bridal showers or birthdays. A drizzle of lemon curd on top never hurts either—it’s a sweet, tart upgrade that guests will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Lemon Gooey Butter Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, so it’s a total win for prepping ahead or sneaking a square anytime you need a citrusy pick-me-up!

Freezing

To freeze, simply wrap individual, completely cooled squares of Lemon Gooey Butter Cake tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the fridge or on the counter for the freshest flavor and best texture.

Reheating

If you like your gooey bars slightly warm, microwave a slice for just 10-15 seconds—just enough to take the chill off and restore that irresistibly melty feel. You can also let slices come to room temperature naturally, which brings out all those creamy, bright flavors.

FAQs

Can I use homemade lemon cake mix instead of boxed?

Absolutely! If you prefer to avoid boxed mixes, you can substitute with your favorite homemade lemon cake mix recipe. Just keep the dry ingredient measurements about the same for that perfect base.

How do I know when the Lemon Gooey Butter Cake is done?

The key is to bake until the edges are golden and the center is set but still has a slight jiggle. The middle will finish setting as the cake cools, so resist the urge to overbake for the ultimate gooey texture.

Can I add extra lemon for more flavor?

Oh yes! For a bolder citrus punch, add a splash of lemon extract to the filling or an extra teaspoon of zest. You could also finish with a drizzle of lemon curd for even more lemony goodness.

Does Lemon Gooey Butter Cake need to be refrigerated?

Because of the cream cheese layer, it’s best to refrigerate the cake if you’re not serving it right away. This keeps it safe and maintains that wonderful, slightly chilled gooey bite.

Can I make this dessert gluten free?

Definitely! Just swap out the regular lemon cake mix for a gluten-free lemon cake mix and double-check that your other ingredients are gluten-free as well. The rest of the directions stay the same.

Final Thoughts

Few desserts are as sunny and crowd-pleasing as Lemon Gooey Butter Cake. Every slice is a celebration of citrus and cream, so don’t be surprised if it vanishes quicker than you expect. I hope you’ll try this recipe soon—it’s the kind of treat that makes even the simplest day feel special!

Lemon Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the irresistible combination of sweet, tangy, and creamy with this Lemon Gooey Butter Cake. A luscious lemon-flavored treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Crust:

1 box lemon cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

Cream Cheese Layer:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix lemon cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg to form a dough. Press into the pan.
Mix Cream Cheese Layer: Beat cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and powdered sugar until smooth.
Layer and Bake: Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. Bake for 35–40 minutes until set. Cool before slicing.
Enjoy: Dust with powdered sugar and serve!