Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

Lemon Gooey Butter Cake adds the tangy flavor of lemon to this crowd pleasing dessert. It's easy to make, irresistably rich and has layers of yummy texture.

If you haven't jumped on the gooey butter cake bandwagon you need to do that now! We started making them a while back and they're so easy, loved by everyone, and best of all? You can totally customize by creating your own flavors.

As I write this it's a hot summer day in Coastal Georgia, and the most refreshing flavor I can think of is bright, citrusy lemon. The butter, the cream cheese and the lemon are indeed a combination that can't be beat.

A bit reminiscent of a lemon bar, but with a buttery, gooey filling, this easy gooey butter cake recipe is one you'll come back to again and again.

Jump to:

• Ingredient Notes
• How to make gooey lemon butter cake
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• Storing Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
• More lemon flavored recipes:
• 📖 Recipe
• Cakes, Cupcakes, & Frostings

Ingredient Notes

• Lemon Cake Mix - You can use any variety that you would find on the shelves at your local grocery store for this easy cake mix recipe. I usually grab Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme, but have used others with great results.
• Eggs - Large eggs are standard.
• Butter - Traditional stick butter is what you want here. Salted or unsalted butter is fine.
• Lemon Extract - This is one of two ingredients that give your gooey cake an extra burst of lemony flavor.
• Lemon Zest - This is the other ingredient needed for extra lemon goodness.
• Cream Cheese - I recommend a good quality like Philadelphia brand for the cream cheese filling.
• Powdered Sugar - Also known as confectioners sugar. This is for the cream cheese layer and you can also use a little extra for garnish.

For exact quantities see the recipe card below.

How to make gooey lemon butter cake

1. Melt the butter. You can do this on the stovetop on low or in the microwave (covered).
2. Mix the cake mix, one egg, half the melted butter (8 Tablespoons), half the lemon extract and half the lemon zest in bowl with electric mixer until well blended. (If you have a stand mixer you'll want to use the paddle attachment). A medium bowl works fine for this layer.
3. Press the cake batter mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan which has been sprayed with a baking spray like Bakers Joy.
4. Mix two eggs, the room temperature cream cheese, the remaining lemon extract and zest and remaining butter in a large bowl until well blended.
5. Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
6. Pour over the bottom layer in baking pan.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown on top.
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired.

Just look at the crackly golden skin on that top of the cake before being garnished and cut. Doesn't it look divine?

Expert Tips

• This recipe makes a thick cake batter. You will have to press it into the pan with your fingers.
• Be sure to use lemon extract and not fresh lemon juice (or bottled). You'll get more lemon flavor without adding too much liquid to the batter.
• Watch for the top to turn a golden brown when baking. It will still have a gooey center so the traditional toothpick method of checking for doneness won't work.
• Let the gooey cake cool thoroughly before cutting for the cleanest edges. You may also need to clean your knife between cuts.

Recipe FAQs

Storing Lemon Gooey Butter Cake

You may store at room temperature in the pan or cut into pieces and placed in a airtight container for up to 2 days.

After 2 days it can be stored in the refrigerator (also in an airtight container) for up to 5-6 days.

Gooey butter cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. You can freeze it in whole or cut into pieces. For best results in separating the pieces put a layer of parchment paper between each layer of cake pieces before wrapping in a foil or plastic wrap and placing in an airtight container.

We're confident that you will love this take on classic gooey butter cake! It's so easy to make and produces a delightful lemon dessert that your whole family will love. It also travels well, so you'll want to keep it in rotation for potlucks, barbecues and picnics.

More lemon flavored recipes:

If you're here it must mean that you love lemon. Below you'll find a few more recipes that also feature lemon:

• Mini Lemon Tarts
• Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
• Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter
• Honey Bourbon Lemonade
• Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce

📖 Recipe