Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

Course Cakes, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword butter-cake-recipe, lemon-cake-recipes, lemon-gooey-butter-cake-recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Cooling Time 2

Total Time 3

Servings servings

Calories 390kcal

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat together cake mix, 1/2 melted butter and 1 large egg. Beat until fully moistened. Press the cake layer evenly into the bottom of the pan.
In the same bowl, whip together cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, lemon pudding mix and heavy cream. Beat just until creamy and no lumps remain.
Add 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the powdered sugar gradually. Whip until smooth and fluffy.
Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust, spread using an offset spatula.
Bake for 40-45 minutes. The center should still move when gently shaken.
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then, slice into desired size pieces.
Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar and serve topped with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Bring the Cream Cheese to Room Temperature - It's important to allow ample time for the cream cheese to soften and come to room temperature so it will blend seamlessly with the remaining ingredients.

Press the Crust Evenly into the Pan - When pressing the crust mixture into the pan you can use the back of a spoon or your hands. Lay a piece of wax paper on top and press the crust evenly into the dish. It doesn't have to be packed but do try to get an even layer for the foundation. Using wax paper will keep your hands clean.

Lemon Zest - While this lemon gooey cake has plenty of lemon flavor, you could add fresh lemon Zest to the filling.

Other Flavors - This lemon gooey cake is best made just as instructed in the recipe. That being said, when it comes to these kind of cakes the flavor and mix-in variations are endless. Some flavors may include additions like chocolate chips, nuts, or use different flavors of cake mix, fillings and extracts to customize the taste.

Serving Options - You don't have to top this cake with whipped cream, but I do recommend doing so. It's a nice creamy addition and you can use homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip.