Reviewers are loving the Gooey Butter Cake, claiming it's worth enjoying 'Twice a Week.'

The first time I tried a butter cake, I had no idea what to expect. It appeared to be just a plain vanilla cake, with firm edges and a rich, dark crust. A scoop of vanilla ice cream rested on top, slowly melting into the cake’s surface.

At first glance, the cake didn’t seem extraordinary, but one bite in and I quickly understood why butter cake is so beloved. There are two cakes that have a permanent place in my heart. One is my grandma's perfect chocolate cake, a constant at every family celebration, never once failing to impress.

The other cake, unsurprisingly, is butter cake, which I first discovered at a small American diner near my house. I had heard all the buzz about it and, when I finally got the chance to try it, I was blown away by the flavor. Since that day, butter cake has held a special spot in my heart.

Luckily, Dinogo offers some incredible butter cake recipes that rank among the best I’ve ever had.

How to Savor a Butter Cake

The perfect butter cake should have a crisp, golden-brown exterior with a soft, moist, and indulgent interior. It should strike a balance between sweetness and richness, never feeling too sugary.

A scoop of ice cream is essential when serving butter cake, as it provides a refreshing contrast to the cake's richness. While I prefer vanilla, feel free to choose your favorite flavor. When everything comes together, you have a dessert that few can match.

A close-up shot of a gooey butter cake on a plate.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Pound cakes are similar to butter cakes but typically simpler, as they consist of equal amounts of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar—usually a pound of each. A traditional pound cake tends to be denser, unlike butter cake, which uses different proportions and includes extra ingredients like milk, vanilla, and either baking powder or soda.

Some butter cakes feature a creamy layer of cream cheese spread over the batter before baking, creating a sweet frosting-like layer that enhances the cake’s gooey texture. Other recipes use bundt pans to shape the cake, giving it a unique appearance. If that’s the look you desire, great! Otherwise, feel free to use any cake pan you have on hand.

From the Editor

To ensure the cake doesn’t stick and to achieve a beautifully browned crust, coat the inside of your pan with butter and flour before pouring in the batter.
Make sure your eggs, milk, butter, and cream cheese are softened and at room temperature before you start mixing.

Community Tips and Praise

Butter cakes are so irresistible that some of our Dinogo community members are baking them twice a week. Here’s what they’re saying about our butter cake recipes:

“This butter cake recipe is rich and delicious,” says recipe creator Carol. “It can be made for many uses and frosted if you like. You can also add soft fruit, such as blueberries or strawberries.”
“This cake is amazing—in fact, it was so good I have had to make it twice in a week because it was gone so fast,” says recipe reviewer Shannon. “My brother said it reminded him of really good pancakes, so I topped the second one with a maple glaze. Easy to make, worth the effort!”
"OH MY! I made this cake less then 24 hours ago, and it is almost gone! I bake a lot. Everyday. This cake is the best, most moist and delicious," says recipe reviewer BabaEva. "I'm on my way to make another one. This time I will make small slices in the cake instead of poking holes. The sauce wanted to run to the center of the bundt pan. I think slicing it will let the sauce seep in better."

Explore Our Recipes

Our Kentucky Butter Cake boasts more than 900 five-star ratings and over 1000 reviews. Our gooey butter cake recipes are also incredibly popular. No matter which one you choose, you’re in for a treat with these top-rated recipes.