Description
The Best Gooey Lemon Butter Cake is a bright, rich, and irresistibly soft lemon dessert with a buttery cake base and a creamy citrus center. It is an easy recipe that works beautifully for spring gatherings, holiday dessert tables, weekend baking, dessert ideas, food ideas, and anytime you want a fresh and sweet treat that feels special without being complicated.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a thick dough forms.
3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
5. Add the 2 eggs, 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, then beat until creamy and fully combined.
6. Pour the lemon filling over the crust and spread it into an even layer.
7. Bake for 38 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden while the center is still slightly soft.
8. Cool completely, then chill for 1 to 2 hours for cleaner slices.
9. Dust with powdered sugar, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake this cake or the center will lose its signature gooey texture.
Use fresh lemon juice and lemon zest for the brightest flavor.
Chill before slicing if you want neat, bakery-style squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg