The Ultimate Paula Deen Butter Cake Recipe: Gooey, Rich & Southern as It Gets

If there’s one dessert that defines Southern comfort in a single bite, it’s Paula Deen butter cake. Rich, gooey, and unapologetically indulgent, this cake has earned legendary status, and for good reason. It’s not just a sweet treat; it’s a moment, the kind you remember from family gatherings, potlucks, or a late-night craving that had you sneaking to the kitchen.

I first discovered this cake in my grandmother’s worn-out Southern Living magazine, scribbled with notes in the margins. Years later, Paula Deen brought it back into the spotlight, and the world hasn’t stopped baking it since. Her signature twist on the gooey butter cake, with its golden crust and creamy filling, is the kind of dessert that stops conversations at the table.

In this article, I’m sharing the ultimate version of Paula Deen’s butter cake, inspired by the original, but perfected for today’s home baker. Whether you’re making it for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll find everything you need here: step-by-step instructions, expert tips, storage hacks, and creative variations.

So grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s bake something unforgettable, because Southern desserts don’t get more iconic than this.

What Is Paula Deen’s Gooey Butter Cake?

At first glance, Paula Deen’s gooey butter cake looks simple, a golden crust with a soft, creamy center. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This cake is a full-on flavor bomb: sweet, buttery, and rich with that signature gooey texture that sticks to your fork (and your memory).

🥄 A Sweet Southern Staple

Gooey butter cake got its start in St. Louis, where it was first created, possibly by accident, during the 1930s. Louis in the 1930s, where it was reportedly created by accident. But it wasn’t until Paula Deen, the queen of Southern cooking, brought her version to TV audiences that this dessert became a household name across the country.

Her take on the cake leans into everything indulgent, a buttery yellow cake base topped with a velvety cream cheese filling that bakes into a soft, almost custard-like center. It’s part cake, part cheesecake, part magic.

🍰 Why Is It So Popular?

• Effortless ingredients – Mostly pantry staples, including boxed cake mix.
• Crave-worthy texture – Crispy edges, soft middle, gooey top.
• Versatility – Easy to flavor with lemon, pumpkin, or chocolate variations.
• Crowd-pleaser – It’s the kind of dessert that disappears at bake sales and potlucks.

Whether you call it a butter cake, gooey bar, or Southern cream cheese cake, one thing’s for sure: Paula Deen’s version has become the gold standard for indulgent, no-fuss desserts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this Paula Deen butter cake recipe is how incredibly easy it is to make. You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients, just a few everyday staples that come together to create something unforgettable.

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this gooey, rich, Southern classic:

🧁 For the Cake Base (Crust Layer):

• 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

💡 Tip: Want to avoid boxed cake mix? You can substitute with 2 cups of homemade yellow cake mix, but for that nostalgic Paula Deen flavor, the boxed version is the way to go.

🍥 For the Gooey Filling:

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar (yes, it’s worth it)

🧂 Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 teaspoon almond extract for a deeper flavor profile
• A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness
• Fresh lemon zest if you’re leaning toward a citrus twist

🛒 Ingredient Notes

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat works best for texture. Avoid low-fat or whipped.
• Butter: Unsalted gives you more control, but salted can work in a pinch.
• Powdered Sugar: Don’t skimp! It creates that signature gooey texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions (with Tips for Perfect Gooey Results)

This Paula Deen butter cake recipe is beginner-friendly but bakes up like something straight out of a Southern bakery. Follow these steps and you’ll get that rich, gooey center and lightly golden top every time.

🥄 Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

• Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by either greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.

🔥 Pro tip: A glass baking dish works best for even baking and a perfectly gooey center.

🥣 Step 2: Make the Cake Base

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine:
   • 1 box yellow cake mix
   • 1 large egg
   • 1/2 cup melted butter
2. Stir until a soft dough forms (it will be thick, like cookie dough).
3. Spread the dough evenly across the bottom of your prepared pan, pressing it down to create a firm crust layer.

🧁 Step 3: Make the Gooey Filling

1. In a separate bowl, beat together:
   • 1 package softened cream cheese
   • 2 large eggs
   • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2. Add 1/2 cup melted butter and mix until smooth.
3. Slowly incorporate 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar, mixing until light and fluffy.

💡 Tip: Add powdered sugar gradually to avoid a sugar storm in your kitchen!

🍰 Step 4: Assemble the Cake

• Pour the filling over the crust layer.
• Spread evenly with a spatula to cover every edge, it will be thick and luxurious.

⏲️ Step 5: Bake

• Bake in your preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
• You’re looking for:
  • Light golden edges
  • A center that’s just set, it should jiggle slightly

❗ Don’t overbake! This is key. The center will firm up as it cools, giving it that perfect gooey texture Paula Deen’s butter cake is known for.

🧊 Step 6: Cool & Serve

• Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, this helps it set properly.
• Dust the top with extra powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.
• Cut into squares and serve!

Pro Tips for the Best Gooey Butter Cake

Want that perfect golden top, buttery crust, and ultra-gooey center every time? Whether it’s your first bake or your fiftieth, these expert-backed tricks will help you nail this Paula Deen butter cake like a true Southern kitchen pro. These aren’t just baking tips, they’re your secret weapon to creating a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

🧈 1. Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese (and Soften It Properly)

One of the most common mistakes in gooey butter cake baking? Using low-fat or whipped cream cheese. Full-fat, brick-style cream cheese is what gives the filling its rich, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

• Let the cream cheese come to room temperature for 30–45 minutes before using. This helps it blend effortlessly and prevents those pesky lumps in the filling.
• Cold cream cheese can lead to a gritty texture, not ideal for something meant to be gooey!

🍳 2. Room Temperature Eggs and Butter Matter

This small step makes a big difference. Cold eggs or piping-hot butter can ruin the emulsion of your batter and lead to uneven texture.

• Room-temp eggs mix more evenly into the filling, creating a custard-like structure that bakes smoothly.
• Melted butter for the filling should be warm, not hot. Hot butter will cook the eggs prematurely, and scrambled egg cake isn’t exactly what we’re going for.

💡 Pro baker trick: Crack your eggs into a bowl and let them sit on the counter while you prep the crust.

🕒 3. Don’t Overbake, The Center Should Jiggle

Here’s where many butter cake dreams go wrong. Overbaking dries out the center and kills the gooey vibe. You want:

• Set, golden edges
• A slightly jiggly center that quivers when you gently shake the pan

Start checking at 40 minutes, but don’t panic if the middle still looks soft, it will continue to firm up as it cools.

💬 Think cheesecake logic: Pull it out a little early for that luscious, custardy texture.

🎂 4. Let It Cool Completely Before Cutting

It’s tempting, we get it. But slicing into a hot butter cake is a recipe for a messy (though tasty) disaster.

• Allow the cake to rest in the pan at room temperature for a minimum of one hour to set properly.
• For cleaner slices and better texture, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting.

🧁 Bonus: Cold slices taste incredible and make for a denser, brownie-like experience the next day.

🌟 5. Dust with Powdered Sugar (After It’s Cooled)

This isn’t just for looks, it adds a delicate sweetness that complements the gooey filling beautifully.

• Wait until the cake is fully cooled, or the sugar will melt into the top and disappear.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer or sugar shaker for a light, even coating, bakery style!

🧂 Bonus Flavor Boosters: Small Tweaks, Big Payoffs

Want to put your own spin on this classic Paula Deen butter cake? Here are some easy ways to add flavor without reinventing the wheel:

• Add a small pinch of salt to the filling to help cut through the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor.
• Fresh lemon zest for brightness and zing
• Almond extract instead of vanilla for a subtle nutty aroma
• A drizzle of maple syrup in the batter for warmth and depth

🧠 Pro tip: Don’t mix all the flavors together, try one at a time and discover your favorite variation.

Variations You’ll Love

Once you’ve mastered the classic Paula Deen butter cake, it’s time to have some fun with flavors. One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize, a simple tweak here or a seasonal ingredient there can turn this Southern staple into something brand new.

🎃 1. Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake (Perfect for Fall)

• Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice to the filling.
• Optional: a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking.

❤️ 2. Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake

• Use a red velvet cake mix for the base.
• Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the filling for extra depth.

Beautifully festive and a Valentine’s Day favorite!

🍋 3. Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

• Swap yellow cake mix for lemon cake mix
• Mix in a tablespoon of freshly grated lemon zest to brighten up the filling with a citrusy kick.

Bright, fresh, and perfect for spring or Easter brunch!

🍫 4. Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Bars

• Stir 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the filling before baking.
• Drizzle with chocolate sauce after cooling.

Great for birthdays or anyone who says “it’s not dessert without chocolate.”

🌰 5. Pecan Pie Butter Cake

• Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the crust or sprinkle on top.
• Optional: a drizzle of maple syrup or brown butter glaze once it cools.

Think: butter cake meets Southern pecan pie. it’s a flavor bomb.

These variations give you the flexibility to turn this cake into a year-round crowd-pleaser, while also opening up internal linking and future content cluster opportunities. You can create standalone posts for each of these later to build topical authority in the “Southern desserts” and “Paula Deen-inspired recipes” space.

How to Store, Freeze & Reheat Gooey Butter Cake

Whether you’re meal prepping for a party or saving a few slices for late-night cravings, storing your Paula Deen butter cake the right way makes all the difference. Here’s how to keep it gooey, fresh, and delicious for days.

🧊 Storing at Room Temperature

• If your kitchen isn’t too warm, you can store the cake at room temp for up to 2 days.
• Cover it snugly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it moist and fresh.

⚠️ Note: Because of the cream cheese filling, don’t leave it out longer than 48 hours.

❄️ Refrigerating

• For longer storage, place your cake in an airtight container or wrap it well and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• The gooey texture actually firms up a bit in the fridge, some people even prefer it chilled!

🥶 Freezing for Later

Yes, you can freeze gooey butter cake, and it freezes beautifully!

To freeze:

1. Cool the cake completely.
2. Slice into portions or freeze the whole slab.
3. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil.
4. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag.

• It can be stored in the freezer for as long as three months without losing quality.
• Label with the date so you don’t forget when you made it!

💡 Tip: Freeze individual squares for easy grab-and-go treats.

🔥 Reheating

• Let frozen slices thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 1–2 hours.
• Warm individual pieces in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds for that just-baked gooeyness.

Optional: Dust with fresh powdered sugar after reheating for a bakery-fresh finish.

By storing and reheating this cake the right way, you preserve the texture and flavor that makes it so irresistible, no soggy bottoms or dry edges here.

Paula Deen Butter Cake FAQs

Final Thoughts: A Southern Classic That Never Fails

There’s a reason Paula Deen’s butter cake has stood the test of time, it’s more than just a dessert. It’s comfort on a plate, a crowd-pleaser at any gathering, and one of those recipes that brings people together around the table.

Whether you stick with the classic version or try one of the delicious variations, this gooey, rich, Southern butter cake delivers every single time. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert baker to make it, just a few pantry staples, a little love, and the patience to let it cool before digging in.

So the next time you’re craving something indulgent, nostalgic, and ridiculously easy to make, bake this butter cake. Trust me, your kitchen will smell amazing, your guests will ask for seconds (and the recipe), and you’ll feel like a Southern baking legend yourself.

🍽️ Craving More Southern Comfort? Try These Paula Deen-Inspired Favorites:

If you loved this gooey butter cake, don’t stop here! Explore more comforting Southern classics straight from Paula’s kitchen (and just as easy to make):

• 🥮 Paula Deen Pound Cake – Dense, buttery, and the perfect match for coffee or fruit compote.
• 🍲 Paula Deen Goulash – A hearty, old-school dinner recipe that’s full of nostalgic flavor.
• 🍗 Paula Deen Southern Fried Chicken – Crispy, juicy, and packed with bold, golden-brown crunch.
• 🥧 Paula Deen Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling with a flaky, golden crust, the ultimate comfort meal.

📌 Pin them, print them, or bookmark them, these recipes will become family favorites in no time!