Lemon Gooey Butter Cake (Printable)
Luscious, tangy dessert with soft buttery base and creamy lemony topping featuring irresistible gooey texture.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base Layer
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
02 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 large egg
→ Gooey Lemon Topping
04 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 3½ cups powdered sugar
07 - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft, thick dough forms.
03 - Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using your hands or a spatula to create a uniform layer.
04 - In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Blend in powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fluffy and smooth.
05 - Pour the lemon mixture over the base and spread evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set but center remains slightly jiggly.
06 - Let cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Dust with additional powdered sugar if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between the tender cake base and that luscious, custard like lemon topping creates the most incredible texture
- It's one of those rare desserts that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for make ahead entertaining
02 -
- The center will look underbaked when you remove it from the oven, but this is exactly what creates that signature gooey texture
- Cutting this cake while warm will result in a mess, so patience during the cooling process is absolutely essential
03 -
- Grate your lemon zest before juicing the lemons, it's much easier to handle the fruit while it's still firm
- Use the paddle attachment on your stand mixer instead of the whisk to prevent incorporating too much air into the cream cheese layer