Must-Try Try Paula Deen’s Simple Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Chocolate gooey butter cake emerges as a decadent rebellion against mundane desserts, promising pure bliss in every heavenly bite.

This sinful creation melts hearts faster than it dissolves on your tongue.

Creamy chocolate waves crash through layers of sublime sweetness, defying traditional cake expectations.

Effortless preparation belies the spectacular results you’ll achieve in your kitchen.

Unexpected ingredients dance together, creating a symphonic flavor that whispers pure indulgence.

Each forkful delivers a luxurious experience that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

You’ll become an instant dessert hero with this game-changing recipe that guarantees delighted gasps from everyone around the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 11

Paula Deen’s Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake Ingredient List

• Chocolate Cake Mix: Select a premium brand with rich cocoa notes for deeper flavor complexity.
• Melted Butter: Choose high-quality unsalted butter for smooth, pure richness.
• Egg: Opt for fresh, room-temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.

• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, soft cream cheese for luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Eggs: Select large, fresh eggs to ensure smooth filling structure.
• Cocoa Powder: Seek Dutch-processed cocoa for intense, sophisticated chocolate depth.
• Powdered Sugar: Pick fine-ground sugar for seamless blending and silky texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Select pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust flavor profile.
• Melted Butter: Use high-quality butter for additional richness and smoothness.

• Chopped Nuts: Select fresh, crunchy nuts like pecans or walnuts for delightful textural contrast.

Tools You’ll Need to Make Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

• Mixing Bowl: Large, spacious bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Powerful tool for beating cream cheese and blending fillings.
• 13×9-inch Baking Pan: Rectangular pan for creating layered dessert.
• Wire Rack: Essential for cooling cake after baking.
• Measuring Cups: Precise tools for measuring dry and wet ingredients.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding nuts and spreading mixture evenly.
• Knife: Sharp utensil for cutting cake into clean, generous squares.
• Oven: Preheated to 350°F for perfect baking temperature.

How to Bake Paula Deen’s Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

• Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 350°F and butter a 13 x 9-inch pan thoroughly to ensure smooth cake removal.

• Craft Chocolate Base

Whisk melted butter with egg and chocolate cake mix until velvety. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, creating a solid foundation for your dessert.

• Create Creamy Filling

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Incorporate eggs and cocoa powder, blending until completely combined and luxuriously rich.

• Enhance Filling Flavor

Gently mix in powdered sugar, additional melted butter, and vanilla extract. Fold in chopped nuts to add delightful crunch and texture to the filling.

• Bake and Transform

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, watching for set edges while maintaining a soft, gooey center that promises decadent indulgence.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the cake cool slightly on a wire rack. Slice into generous squares, serving warm to reveal the ultimate chocolate experience that melts in your mouth and delights every sense.

Smart Tips and Flavor Options for Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

• Nutty Alternatives: Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a unique crunch. Each nut brings its own rich, distinctive flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top for an intense cocoa experience. Dark, milk, or white chocolate work wonderfully to elevate the dessert.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with a dash of espresso powder or cinnamon in the filling to add depth and complexity. These secret ingredients create a more sophisticated taste profile that will surprise and delight.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bars up to two days in advance and store them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for a firmer texture or leave at room temperature for a softer, more indulgent treat. Simply reheat briefly in the microwave for that fresh-baked warmth.

Ways to Serve Paula Deen’s Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

• Pair with Cool Whipped Cream: Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance the rich chocolate intensity and add a light, creamy contrast.
• Drizzle Chocolate Sauce: Enhance the dessert by zigzagging warm chocolate sauce over each square, creating an extra decadent treat that looks stunning and tastes incredible.
• Garnish with Powdered Sugar: Dust the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar to add elegance and a subtle sweet touch that complements the deep chocolate flavor.
• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: Place a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream alongside each warm chocolate square, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.

Storage Guidelines for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

• Keep freshly baked bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain maximum moisture and prevent drying out.
• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap or place between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze squares for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag to preserve flavor and texture.
• Bring refrigerated or frozen bars to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven gooey texture.

Sinful Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s chocolate gooey butter cake delivers rich, indulgent flavors from Southern baking traditions. Chocolate lovers will savor each fudgy, moist slice with creamy texture and irresistible sweetness you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 sticks (226 g) butter, melted and divided, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 package (18.25 oz/517 g) chocolate cake mix
• 1 package (8 oz/227 g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 eggs, divided
• 1 box (16 oz/454 g) powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsps cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120 g) nuts, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and thoroughly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with unsalted butter.
2. Base Layer Creation: Blend melted unsalted butter, egg, and chocolate cake mix in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, creating a compact foundational layer.
3. Cream Cheese Filling Development: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, then integrate eggs and cocoa powder. Reduce mixer speed and gradually incorporate powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract, blending until achieving a perfectly smooth consistency.
4. Nutty Enhancement: Gently fold chopped nuts into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the filling.
5. Assembly and Baking: Carefully spread the nutty cream cheese filling over the chocolate base, creating a luxurious two-layered dessert. Bake for 40-50 minutes, watching for set edges while maintaining a delightfully gooey center.
6. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and allow to cool partially on a wire rack. Slice into precise squares and serve warm or at room temperature, showcasing the rich, decadent chocolate creation.

Notes

• Butter Pan Technique: Completely coat the baking pan with unsalted butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
• Mixing Precision: Blend cake mix base ingredients thoroughly to create a uniform, smooth foundation that supports the creamy filling.
• Temperature and Texture Watch: Monitor baking time carefully between 40-50 minutes, aiming for set edges but maintaining a gooey, soft center for ultimate richness.
• Serving Strategy: Allow cake to cool slightly before cutting into squares, serving warm or at room temperature to maximize flavor and indulgent texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg