Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

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There’s only six ingredients between you and a pan of Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars. This rich butter cake is simple to make using a boxed cake mix base, yet the outcome is something worthy of a Grand Prize.

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Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bar Recipe

Lemon lovers unite. These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are a decadent dessert recipe that will become a staple of your recipe box. Why you might ask? Because they are addicting delish, and everyone loves them.

Let’s break this treat down. It’s a double whammy on lemon between the lemon cake mix and lemon extract.

The crust is made with a short cut – boxed lemon cake mix, eggs and softened butter. The combination is a tender crust with a little crunch around the edges. The topping is an ooey, gooey filling made with cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar and lemon extract.

Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe

This is actually a variation of the original butter gooey cake (made with yellow cake mix). With a few simple substitutions, I came up with these lemon cake mix ooey gooey barsrecipe. Don’t miss out on our rich and gooey chocolate gooey bars too!

How to Make Lemon Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Step by Step Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, lemon cake mix and eggs with an electric mixer or stand mixer; press cake mixture into the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
  2. For the second layer, beat softened cream cheese, eggs, lemon extract and powdered sugar.
  3. Pour over bottom layer, and spread batter to cover the entire baking pan.
  4. Next, bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until golden brown and just set.
  5. Let cool slightly, then cut into gooey lemon bars.
  6. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge.

For the full recipe for lemon butter cake, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Recipe FAQs

  • This recipe calls for a lemon cake mix from the box. Add it dry (unprepared) to the recipe.
  • Soften (or melt) the butter in this lemon butter cake recipe.
  • Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent a lumpy filling.
  • Lemon extract is optional in the filling. It will give a double whammy of lemon flavor, but the filling is perfect without the extract too.
  • If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (6)

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Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (11)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars

There's only six ingredients between you and a pan of Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars. This rich butter cake is simple to make using a boxed cake mix base, yet the outcome is something worthy of a Grand Prize.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butter gooey cake variations, cake mix recipes, gooey butter cake recipe, lemon butter cake, lemon cake mix gooey bars, lemon cake mix gooey cake, lemon gooey butter cake, lemon gooey butter cookies, ooey gooey butter cake recipe variations

Servings: 16

Calories: 325kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

Crust

  • 16.5 ounces lemon cake mix (box)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup softened butter

Gooey Topping

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Mix dry lemon cake mix, 2 eggs and softened butter until combined; spread into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

    Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (12)

  • Mix softened cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar and lemon extract until smooth; pour it over the crust and spread to the edges.

    Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (13)

  • Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until lightly golden brown and just set in the center.

    Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (14)

Notes

  • This recipe calls for a lemon cake mix from the box. Add it dry (unprepared) to the recipe.
  • The butter needs to be softened (or even melted) in this lemon butter cake recipe.
  • Be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent a lumpy filling.
  • Lemon extract is optional in the filling. It will give a double whammy of lemon flavor, but the filling is perfect without the extract too.
  • If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
  • Try the original Cake Mix Butter Gooey Bars!
  • The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg

Lemon Cake Mix Gooey Bars Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Who made the original gooey butter cake? ›

Origin and popularity

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.

Does gooey cake need to be refrigerated? ›

The cake can be stored at room temperature for 2- 3 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to help keep them from drying out. You can also store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and serve it chilled but it won't be as gooey.

Where did gooey cake come from? ›

Miller and Colman Andrews, believe it was the accidental creation of Johnny Hoffman, a baker at St. Louis Pastries Bakery, in the 1940s. Gooey butter cake traditionally starts with a yeasted crust, which gets filled with a mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla.

What city is known for gooey butter cake? ›

South St. Louis was the heart of Gooey Butter Cake territory when that area was filled with German immigrants and was a treasure-trove of family-owned, German-style bakeries.

How long is ooey gooey cake good for? ›

To store: Store gooey butter cake covered, at room temperature, for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze: Allow the cake to cool to room temperature and then decide on a freezing method.

What is an ooey gooey bar made of? ›

These Ooey Gooey Butter Bars are sweet, chewy, and, well, gooey – in the best way! The recipe starts with a basic cake mix, an egg, and some butter. On top of that, we'll sprinkle a healthy dose of white chocolate chips, and then pour a filling made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

Why is my gooey butter cake too runny? ›

While it may be tempting to eat right away, this ooey gooey butter cake needs to completely cool to room temperature. Otherwise, it will be too runny due to it's gooey nature. Place on a cooling rack for at least two hours. If bottom of pan still feels warm, let cool for longer.

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!

Where did the butter cake come from? ›

Origin. The pound cake is said to have originated in England as the first 'butter cake. ' France then adopted this cake and called it quatres-quarts. The American butter cake is a variation of this basic formula.

What dessert is famous in St. Louis? ›

Nothing compares to gooey butter cake. Rich, moist and tender, it's arguably the best dessert in St. Louis.

Who made original Smith Island cake? ›

Although Kitching later took credit for possibly having made the first Smith Island Cake, others on the island don't substantiate that claim. Well-known bakers like Mary Ada Marshall say they learned it from their grandmothers, who in turn learned it from their grandmothers.

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