Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl
A rich, buttery cake with a luscious cream cheese swirl baked on a sheet pan for easy slicing and sharing. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, (2 sticks), melted unsalted butter 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 330 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 all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks), melted unsalted butter
- 4, divided large eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Stir in 1 cup melted unsalted butter and 3 large eggs, mixing until smooth and well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 large egg, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt until creamy and smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the butter cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the batter and use a knife to gently swirl the two batters together to create a marbled effect.
- Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are set and golden brown but the center is still slightly gooey.
- Step 6: Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl?
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 Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl?
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 Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl 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 Sheet Pan Gooey Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl?
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.
