Authentic St Louis Gooey Butter Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Lightly grease (or spray with Pam) one deep 9x13 rectangular cake pan. I would suggest a 4 in deep pan, as the cake rises when it is cooking, but a oven-safe disposable coffee cake pan from the grocery store would work fine too.
• Melt butter. I do this by heating the the microwave on low power for 30 seconds.
• Empty cake mix into a large bowl.
• Stir melted butter, along with ONE egg, into the cake mix.
• PRESS mixture into pan. Mixture will have the consistency of sticky dough. Using a spatula works for me, but pressing with clean fingers will do the trick as well.
• In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, almond or vanilla extract, confectioners sugar and the remaining two eggs.
• Beat for three minutes with an electric mixer set on medium high speed, or until smooth with NO lumps.
• Pour evenly over top of the cake mixture in the pan. Use a spatula to spread.
• Place a large cookie sheet on the rack below the cake. Sometimes when you use a cake pan with less depth, the cake bubbles and spills over. The cookie sheet will spare your oven! Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until golden brown on top. Cooking time is estimated, you will really have to watch it here! I always take the cake out when it turns a darkish golden brown. Note that there will be a paper thin sugar "crust" that will form while the cake is baking. It the top layer of sugar hardening, and this is what will turn golden brown. It adds great texture!
• Allow cake to cool COMPLETELY. This is very important, as the cake will not cut easily until it is completely cool. You will notice that the cake has sunken and set. This is normal. Refrigeration is optional. I personally like it at room temperature.
• Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.
• Cut cake into bars and serve with or without utensils, but make sure you have plenty of napkins, because this treat will have you licking your fingers! (Cake should be gooey underneath the sugar "crust", so don't over bake!).

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine the cake mix, nutmeg, vanilla and eggs in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the melted butter and mix just until combined. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese in a clean mixer bowl with the paddle on medium speed until light and smooth, scraping the sides occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vanilla bean paste and eggs and beat until smooth. Add the melted butter and beat until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed to incorporate, and then beat on medium until light and smooth, about 1 minute. Pour over the cake layer and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Bake until the edges are puffed and golden brown and the center is just set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares to serve.

Steps:

• For Dough:.
• In large bowl cream sugar, shortening and salt until light and fluffy.
• Add egg and beat well 1 minute until well blended.
• Dissolve yeast in the warm milk.
• Add flour, then milk-yeast mix and the vanilla to the sugar mixture.
• Mix 3 minutes. (Use dough hook if possible).
• Turn dough onto lightly floured board and knead 1 minute.
• Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel.
• Set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
• Than divide dough into 2 equal pieces.
• Pat (or use a rolling pin)each half into a circle about the size of the cake pan. (I usually use two 9" cake pans. Springform pans can also be used.).
• Transfer dough to each pan and pat up the sides so the gooey butter doesn't run underneath.
• Prick a few times with a fork to keep from bubbling up during baking.
• For gooey butter:.
• In large bowl, combine sugar, butter and salt.
• Add egg and corn syrup.
• Mix enough to blend well.
• Add the flour, water and vanilla, mixing well.
• Divide the gooey butter in 2 equal parts.
• Spread over dough in each pan.
• Let stand for 20 minutes.
• While cakes are standing, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until topping starts to turn golden.
• Do not over bake or the topping will not be gooey.
• Let cakes cool completely on wire rack.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
• Serve at room temperature and store uneaten cakes in fridge.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix milk with 2 tablespoons warm water. Add yeast and whisk gently until it dissolves. Mixture should foam slightly.
• Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar and salt. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat in the egg. Alternately add flour and the milk mixture, scraping down sides of bowl between each addition. Beat dough on medium speed until it forms a smooth mass and pulls away from sides of bowl, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Press dough into an ungreased 9-by 13-inch baking dish at least 2 inches deep. Cover dish with plastic wrap or clean tea towel, put in a warm place, and allow to rise until doubled, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. To prepare topping, in a small bowl, mix corn syrup with 2 tablespoons water and the vanilla. Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat in the egg. Alternately add flour and corn syrup mixture, scraping down sides of bowl between each addition.
• Spoon topping in large dollops over risen cake and use a spatula to gently spread it in an even layer. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes; cake will rise and fall in waves and have a golden brown top, but will still be liquid in center when done. Allow to cool in pan before sprinkling with confectioners' sugar for serving.

Steps:

• For the cake, place the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 1 minute, or in the microwave on low power for 45 seconds, and heat until the milk is 100° F. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk, and stir to dissolve. Set aside.
• Place the butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, and beat until incorporated. Stop the mixer, and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour alternately with the yeast and milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. When all the flour has been added, blend on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly rub butter into the bottom of two 8" square pans. Divide the dough in half, and press one half into the bottom of each pan. Cover each pan loosely with plastic wrap, and place in a warm place to rise until nearly doubled, about 2 hours.
• When the dough has nearly finished rising, make the filling. Place the butter, sugar, salt, and corn syrup in a large mixing bowl, and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add the vanilla and 1 egg. Beat on medium speed until combined, then add the second egg. Add the milk and half the flour, beating until combined. Add the rest of the flour, and beat until smooth. Set aside.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the filling over the rising dough, dividing it evenly between the 2 pans, and spread it to the edges. Place the pans in the oven.
• Bake the cakes until the tops are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let the cakes cool for 20 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar, slice, and serve warm.