Authentic St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

🍰 St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake 🍰

The St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake is a delectable dessert that has become a local specialty in St. Louis, Missouri. Its rich, gooey, and sweet characteristics make it a beloved treat among locals and dessert enthusiasts. Let’s explore its history, components, and how to prepare it!

📜 History:
The St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake has humble origins dating back to the 1930s, although its exact history is somewhat hazy. The popular story is that it was created by accident when a St. Louis baker mixed up the proportions of the ingredients for a traditional coffee cake. The result was a cake with a gooey, almost custard-like layer on top of a buttery cake crust. This happy accident became an instant hit, and the dessert has been cherished by the people of St. Louis ever since.

🍰 Components:
The St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake consists of two distinct layers:

1. Bottom Layer (Cake Base): This layer is similar to a dense, buttery, and slightly sweet cake. It serves as the foundation for the gooey topping.
2. Top Layer (Gooey Filling): The gooey topping is made from a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, eggs, and vanilla. It is incredibly sweet, rich, and, as the name suggests, gooey.

👩‍🍳 Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a simplified recipe to make an authentic St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake:

Ingredients:

• For the Cake Base:

  • 1 box of yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

• For the Gooey Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, melted
  • 16 oz powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and one egg to create the cake base. Mix until it forms a dough-like consistency.

3. Press the cake base mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

4. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth.

5. Add in the two eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter, and mix well.

6. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating until it’s smooth and creamy.

7. Pour the gooey filling over the cake base in the baking dish, spreading it evenly.

8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is slightly gooey.

9. Allow it to cool completely before cutting it into squares or rectangles.

10. Serve and enjoy the gooey, sweet, and buttery goodness of St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake!

⏲️ Preparation Time:
The preparation time for this delightful dessert is approximately 15-20 minutes, and it takes around 30-35 minutes to bake. So, in under an hour, you can have this mouthwatering treat ready to enjoy!

🎉 St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake is a beloved dessert that encapsulates the sweet, gooey, and buttery essence of St. Louis. Its history is rooted in a delightful baking mishap, and its simple yet indulgent components make it a cherished treat. So, the next time you’re craving a rich and gooey dessert, give this St. Louis classic a try! 😊🍰

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical serving of St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Serving Size: 1 piece (about 1/12th of a 9×13-inch pan)
• Calories: 350-400 calories
• Total Fat: 18-22 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 10-12 grams
• Cholesterol: 75-90 mg
• Sodium: 180-220 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 45-50 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 0 grams
  • Sugars: 35-40 grams
• Protein: 3-5 grams

🔍 Health Information:

• Calories: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake is a calorie-dense dessert, primarily due to the high content of sugar, butter, and cream cheese. A single serving can contain around 350-400 calories.

• Total Fat: The cake is relatively high in fat, with saturated fat making up a significant portion. Saturated fat is associated with heart health concerns, and it’s advisable to consume it in moderation.

• Cholesterol: Gooey Butter Cake contains a notable amount of cholesterol, mainly from the cream cheese and butter. High dietary cholesterol intake may increase the risk of heart disease for some individuals.

• Sodium: The cake contains a moderate amount of sodium. While not excessively high, it’s essential to monitor your sodium intake, especially if you have high blood pressure.

• Total Carbohydrates: The majority of the calories in this dessert come from carbohydrates, primarily from sugars. Excessive sugar consumption is associated with various health issues, including weight gain and dental problems.

• Protein: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake has minimal protein content, which is not surprising for a dessert.

In summary, while St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake is undeniably delicious, it’s also a high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar treat. Enjoy it in moderation as an occasional indulgence, as it may not be suitable for those with dietary restrictions, diabetes, or specific health concerns. It’s essential to maintain a balanced and healthy diet to ensure overall well-being. 😊🍰