Lemon gooey butter cake is a sweet and tart treat made with lemon cake mix, cream cheese and powdered sugar!
This lemon gooey butter cake recipe is simple to throw together and makes a deliciously creamy cake. We like serving this with lasagna stuffed peppers and tortellini alfredo.
Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Made with a simple boxed cake mix.
📌 Only 5 ingredients!
📌 Ready and in the oven in just 10 minutes.
📌 Gooey and fresh lemon flavors!
Lemon Gooey Butter Cake Ingredients
- Cake mix – Lemon cake mix.
- Butter – Unsalted, melted.
- Eggs – Large, divided.
- Cream cheese – Softened.
- Sugar – Powdered sugar also known as confectioners sugar.
How do you make a gooey lemon butter cake? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, preheat the oven and spray the baking dish with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter and half of the eggs.
⭐ Next, spread the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Mix together the other eggs, cream cheese and powdered sugar.
⭐ Then, pour that mixture over top of the cake mixture. Bake in the oven until the top is lightly golden.
⭐ Last, remove from the oven and let cool. Sprinkle the top with more powdered sugar. Cut and serve!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make lemon gooey butter cake ahead of time?
Yes, this can be made a few days in advance. Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to serve.
What kind of cake mix to use for lemon gooey butter cake?
The brand is entirely up to you, just choose a lemon cake mix that fits your budget or one that is your favorite!
How do I know when my lemon gooey butter cake is done?
The top of the cake will be lightly golden and although this cake is gooey, the center should be set before removing from the oven.
Storage and leftovers
Does lemon gooey butter cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, these bars should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator and longer if frozen.
Can you freeze lemon gooey butter cake?
Yes, you can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. If freezing after the cake has been cut, use parchment paper between the squares to keep them from sticking together. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight for best results.
Tips and tricks
✅ Either spray the pan with cooking spray or you can use parchment paper to keep the cake from sticking to the pan.
✅ Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the cream cheese mixture for more lemony flavor. You can also zest a lemon and sprinkle that on top of the cake along with the powdered sugar.
✅ This cake is great served with a dollop of whipped cream!
✅ For easier cutting, swipe the knife with some oil to make clean cuts through the gooey buttery cake.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this with a different flavor cake mix?
Absolutely, this would be delicious with any number of cake mix flavors. Definitely try your hand at other varieties!
Can I add real lemon to the recipe?
Yes, feel free to add lemon juice, lemon extract, or lemon zest to the cake batter for extra lemon flavor.
Is this a cake or dessert bar?
It’s both! This is like a dense cake that can be cut into bars. Whatever you call it, it’s definitely delicious.
What to enjoy with our lemon gooey butter cake recipe (serving suggestions)
This lemon gooey butter cake is so simple to make and its buttery gooey center is one of our favorites! Serve this with some lemon pasta or marry me chicken!
More awesome lemon dessert recipes!
- Lemon curd
- Lemon poke cake
- Lemon raspberry muffins
- Lemon pudding cookies
- Lemon raspberry cupcakes
- Lemon pie
- Perfect lemon bars
- Lemon mousse
- Easy lemon cookies
- See all our recipes made with lemon
Other awesome cake recipes
- Hostess cupcakes
- Carrot cake sheet cake
- Champagne cupcakes
- Pumpkin dump cake
- Banana cake
- Banana pudding poke cake
- Snickerdoodle cake
- See all our easy cake recipes!
Tools we love
- Glass casserole dish with lid – I love this dish, it can go from freezer to oven!
- Electric mixer – You can use an electric mixer to whip it together quickly.
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How to Make Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 1 package lemon cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- ½ cup salted butter melted
- 4 large eggs divided, 2 + 2
- 1 package cream cheese, softened (8 ounces)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (plus more for garnish, if desired)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, and two eggs. Mix well, then pour into a prepared* 9x13" baking dish.
- In a second mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend together the remaining two eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Pour into your baking dish, over the cake batter.
- Bake on the center rack of a preheated 350℉ oven for 40 - 59 minutes, until the top is slightly golden (cake should still be gooey).
- Allow to cool completely, then garnish with additional powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
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Beth says
I highly encourage anyone reading this to make this cake and have it with coffee. That’s what I did, and it was so good. This cake is just as gooey as it looks!
Krystle says
I love lemon so it’s no surprise this was amazing. I think I’ll make it again for Mother’s Day!
Amanda says
Everyone needs to go and make this immediately. It was so gooey and delicious!
Erin says
Just made this recently! Very easy to make and super yummy!
Sandra says
This is my family’s favorite dessert! I’m glad I tried this recipe, it turned out perfect!
Catalina says
Just made the Lemon Gooey Butter Cake, and oh my goodness, it was divine! The cake was so moist and the lemon flavor just popped — perfect with a cup of tea.
Melissa says
Oh wow! This is a my go-to recipe. Easy to put together and everyone loves it!