Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (2024)

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is a fall dessert recipe, but I like to make (and eat!) this ooey gooey cake year-round! If you don’t know what gooey butter cake is, then you NEED to make this recipe ASAP. The combination of pumpkin and the gooey butter cake will blow your mind!

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (2)

Table of Contents

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is the perfect combination of two of my favorite desserts: gooey butter cake and pumpkin pie. It’s the perfect fall dessert recipe!

For those of you who don’t know what Gooey Butter Cake is, I’m about to change your life. It’s a dense, moist, gooey cake that hails from St. Louis. It’s a Midwest original and we are very proud of that! This cake is made from cake mix, butter, eggs, and cream cheese, creating one of the best cakes ever.

It comes out more like a layered cake bar rather than traditional cake, and it is so delicious. We had it at my bridesmaids lunch, and all the girls who aren’t from the Midwest couldn’t believe their taste buds. It’s shockingly good, and I feel sorry for anyone that doesn’t have this cake in their lives.

Of course, I had to combine this cake with another one of my favorite desserts to create the PERFECT fall dessert recipe: Pumpkin Pie! Autumn is nothing without pumpkin flavored everything, so this Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake recipe was bound to happen eventually. I just added in some pumpkin to the gooey top layer and…well, this pumpkin dessert has quite possibly changed my life!

Serve this Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake on Thanksgiving and your guests will be amazed, especially those that have no idea gooey butter cake even exists. Or just make it literally any time of year, because this recipe is too good to be limited to the fall season!

This Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake recipe is a combination of gooey butter cake and pumpkin pie, aka the PERFECT fall dessert!

Be sure to also try our Gooey Butter Cookies, Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies, and Gooey Butter Cake Martinis!

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Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

I think I’ve made my love of pumpkin pretty clear around here. October and November should be nothing but pumpkin! I love coming up with new pumpkin recipes and pumpkin desserts to share, because I know you all love them just as much as I do. You have to get festive during the fall season and just give in to the pumpkin!

This Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake might be my favorite pumpkin dessert, but there are so many great recipes that I can’t really choose…and luckily I don’t have to! I have plenty of time to eat them all.

Here are my other favorite pumpkin treats:

  • Pumpkin Brownies
  • Pumpkin Mousse
  • Pumpkin Dump Cake
  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie
  • Pumpkin Pie Dessert Lasagna
  • Pumpkin Monkey Bread
  • Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Icing
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Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (7)
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How to Make Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

This Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake recipe is meant to be easy. Just use a boxed yellow cake mix for the base, and the ooey gooey layer is made from cream cheese, pumpkin, eggs, butter, powdered sugar, and some spices.

  1. Combine cake mix, egg, and butter with an electric mixer.
  2. Pat mixture into the bottom of a baking dish.
  3. Beat together cream cheese and pumpkin puree, then add in eggs, vanilla, and butter.
  4. Lastly, mix in the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  5. Spread the pumpkin mixture in an even layer on top of the cake batter layer.
  6. Bake for 40-50 minutes at 350°F. (Don’t over bake; you want the middle to stay a bit gooey)

Once the pumpkin gooey butter cake is done and has cooled, cut it into squares and serve. You can eat it as is, put I definitely recommend sprinkling it with powdered sugar! You can also add pecans, whipped cream, or other toppings.

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Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (10)

Does Gooey Butter Cake need to be refrigerated?

This pumpkin gooey butter cake does not to be refrigerated right away. You can wrap it in aluminum foil and leave it at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Any longer than that, then you should keep it in the refrigerator (for up to 1 week).

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I’m so excited about this Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake, and I really can’t wait for you to try it. It’s the perfect pumpkin dessert for the fall season, for Thanksgiving, or for any time of year!

See the recipe card below for details on how to make Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. Enjoy!

If you like this recipe, try these other easy dessert recipes:

  • Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
  • Pumpkin Roll
  • Homemade Brownies from Scratch
  • Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe
  • Gooey Texas Cake Skillet
  • Carrot Cake Bars
  • Frosted Pecan Pie Muffins
  • Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Recipe

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

4.44 from 16 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 50 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (12)

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is a fall dessert recipe, but I like to make (and eat!) this ooey gooey cake year-round! If you don’t know what gooey butter cake is, then you NEED to make this recipe ASAP. The combination of pumpkin and the gooey butter cake will blow your mind!

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe - The Cookie Rookie (13)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 18 ounces yellow cake mix 510 grams (1 box)
  • 1 large egg 50 grams, room temperature
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 113 grams, melted (1 stick)

For the Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick)
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree 425 grams (1 can) – NOT pumpkin pie filling
  • 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 113 grams, melted (1 stick)
  • 16 ounces powdered sugar 454 grams
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 grams

Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream
  • Chopped pecans
  • Caramel sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.

  • Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with a hand mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Set aside while you make the filling.

    18 ounces yellow cake mix, 1 large egg, 8 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth.

    8 ounces cream cheese, 15 ounces pumpkin puree

  • Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together.

    3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 8 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well.

    16 ounces powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Spread the pumpkin mixture over the cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Be conscious not to overbake; the center should be slightly gooey. You won't regret it :)

  • You can serve it plain, or top with whipped cream, pecans, caramel, or more powdered sugar.

    Caramel sauce, Chopped pecans, Whipped cream

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Use your favorite brand of yellow cake mix.
  • Make sure all of the cake and filling ingredients are at room temperature!
  • The center of a properly baked gooey butter cake should be, well, gooey. Don’t overbake it!
  • Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.

Storage: Store pumpkin gooey butter cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice Calories: 542kcal (27%) Carbohydrates: 77g (26%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 25g (38%) Saturated Fat: 15g (94%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 121mg (40%) Sodium: 397mg (17%) Potassium: 148mg (4%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 57g (63%) Vitamin A: 6326IU (127%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 133mg (13%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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FAQs

What is the story behind the gooey butter cake? ›

The cake was supposedly first made by accident in the 1930s by a St. Louis-area German American baker who was trying to make regular cake batter but reversed the proportions of butter and flour. John Hoffman was the owner of the bakery where the mistake was made.

What is St Louis signature dessert? ›

The signature dessert of St. Louis, this gooey butter cake is exactly what its name suggests: a wonderfully gooey treat that doesn't quite set when baked. Cake mix and cream cheese versions exist, but locals know that the original was made from scratch using yeast.

What bakery invented gooey butter cake? ›

He said his father was Herman Danzer, who owned Danzer's Bakery. In the article, he said Johnny Hoffman of St. Louis Pastries Bakery created gooey butter cake by mistake. After realizing his creation, Hoffman called Danzer, and together, they worked on a final recipe.

What cake did the queen eat? ›

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Cake: Chocolate Biscuit Cake - Chef Darren McGrady | The Royal Chef.

What food is only found in St. Louis? ›

Food associated with St. Louis
  • Frozen custard concrete.
  • Gerber sandwich.
  • Gooey butter cake.
  • Mayfair salad dressing.
  • Provel cheese.
  • St. Louis-style barbecue.
  • St. Louis-style pizza.
  • St. Paul sandwich.

What is the official dessert of Missouri? ›

MISSOURI STATE SYMBOLS

The ice cream cone became Missouri's official dessert in 2008. In 1904, visitors to the St. Louis World's Fair, formally the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, were invited to try a brand-new treat. Vendors were folding waffles into cones and filling them with ice cream.

Where did gooey butter cookies originate? ›

Where did gooey butter cookies come from? Gooey butter cookies are the cookie form of gooey butter cake, which originated in St. Louis. The creation of the cake itself was actually an accident, but it was so delicious that it became a hit!

What is the meaning of butter cake? ›

Butter cake. 1. a type of cake that is made with a high proportion of butter, resulting in a rich, tender crumb and a delicate buttery flavor.

What is the story behind cake? ›

It is a derivation of 'kaka', an Old Norse word. Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread. These foods could last for many months. According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes (round ones with icing) were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century.

What did the old woman feel about her cakes? ›

Saint Peter asked the old lady for a cake from her store of cakes. The very greedy woman did not wish to part with her cakes as she felt they were too large to be given away. So she made a small cake for him, but that too seemed too big to be given away. In the end, she made a very small and thin cake.

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