Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze
Sweet and dense layered butter cake bars with a rich cream cheese topping and a smooth vanilla glaze, a beloved St. Louis dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers divided all-purpose flour, (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, divided granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, divided all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups, divided granulated sugar
- 4, divided large eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp, divided vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 cup granulated sugar. Add 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix until smooth to form the bottom layer batter.
- Step 3: Spread this batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Add 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; mix until well blended.
- Step 5: Pour this cream cheese mixture over the bottom layer and spread evenly.
- Step 6: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is set and slightly golden but still gooey in the center.
- Step 7: While the cake cools, whisk together 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract to make the glaze.
- Step 8: Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the cooled cake bars. Chill for 1 hour before slicing into squares and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Layered Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Vanilla Glaze?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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