Gooey Butter Cakes

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients and mix well. Pat into a lightly greased 13 × 9-inch baking pan. Prepare filling.

2. Filling

   Step 2

   Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add butter; beat. Add powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake mixture. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so do not overbake.

3. Variation

   Step 3

   For the holidays, add a 15-ounce can of pumpkin to the filling; add cinnamon and nutmeg.

   Step 4

   Add a 20-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple to the filling.

   Step 5

   Use a lemon cake mix. Add lemon juice and zest to the filling.

   Step 6

   Use a chocolate cake mix with cream cheese filling. Add chocolate chips and nuts on top.

   Step 7

   Use a spiced carrot cake mix. Add chopped nuts and shredded carrots to the filling.

   Step 8

   Use mandarin oranges, bananas, blueberries, or strawberries—just coordinate your extract flavorings.

   Step 9

   Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 3/4 to 1 cup peanut butter and nuts to the filling.