Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

This Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake is the best chocolate cake recipe! Easy to make using a box cake mix, it's both fudgy and moist. Perfect for any party or gathering with a crowd, everyone will be asking for more.

The cake of all chocolate cakes! This Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake is one of those dessert recipes that will be requested over and over by your family and friends. We make it for every tailgate, picnic, dinner party, etc. - it's just that popular!

With 15 minutes of prep time, this cake comes together in less than an hour. It's simple to mix together using a boxed chocolate cake mix as a store-bought shortcut. Topped with a cocoa cream cheese, it's rich and gooey in every bite.

If you're looking for more delicious dessert recipes, we have so many! Try our Coca-Cola Cake or Oatmeal Pie. They're both delicious.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Easy Dessert Made in Under an Hour. If you need a quick to make sweet treat that everyone will love, this cake is for you! With 15 minutes of prep time, it's simple to whip up.
• Perfect for a Crowd. This is a cake that can serve a whole party. It's also easy to pack up to bring to someone's house.
• Gooey Chocolate Cake. There's nothing better than a slice of the best chocolate cake and this recipe is exactly that.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Full Printable Recipe Card Below

• Dark chocolate fudge cake mix: We love the dark chocolate flavor of the cake mix for this recipe, but you can use whatever chocolate fudge cake mix is your favorite.
• Salted butter: A key ingredient to ooey butter cake that gives it that signature melt in your mouth texture.
• Chopped pecans: Adds a crunchy texture and rich nutty flavor to pair with the chocolate.
• Large eggs: Binds all of the ingredients together.
• Cream cheese: The most important ingredient that's layered on top of the cake mix for the signature gooey texture.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer perfectly.
• Cocoa powder: Gives cocoa flavor to the cream cheese layer of the cake.
• Vanilla extract: Adds caramel notes to every bite.
• Garnish options: Fresh berries, whipped cream, ice cream, powdered sugar, and fresh mint are all perfect to finish off this decadent cake.

Tools You'll Need

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Spatula
• 13"x9" Baking Dish

How to Make Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, ½ cup of the melted butter, pecans, and 1 egg. Stir until well combined.

3. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust layer.

4. In another mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs. Beat again for 30 seconds.

5. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Beat until creamy and smooth.

6. Blend the remaining melted butter and vanilla extract into the mixture.

7. Spread the chocolate cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.

8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set.
9. Cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into squares or bars and serve with fresh berries, ice cream and/or whipped cream.

Expert Tips

• Be sure to layer the cake ingredients correctly. This is important to make sure the cake bakes to the correct gooey texture.
• Use a fudgy cake mix for the base. These cake mixes have a higher moisture content than some of the other boxed cake mixes and make this dessert recipe truly foolproof.
• Allow the gooey chocolate cake to cool completely before serving. The cake needs to set before cutting into it and enjoying.
• Soften the cream cheese before serving. If you forgot to soften your cream cheese, no worries. Just microwave in 10 second intervals until soft to the touch.

Storage

Store this chocolate gooey cake covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can freeze this cake as well but we can't guarantee the fudgy texture will be the same after thawing.

It's also the perfect make-ahead dessert for entertaining or bringing to an event - it will be the favorite dessert of the party!

FAQs

More Easy Dessert Recipes

• Gooey Butter Cookies
• 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
• Chocolate Meringue Pie
• Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting