Gooey butter cake meets gingerbread. Its the combo you didn’t know you were missing.
Since we celebrated Christmas with Bob’s family already at Thanksgiving I haven’t been in the holiday baking mood. I feel like it’s already January and it’s over. I almost didn’t even decorate for Christmas! But I had motivation enough to make yet another gooey butter cake, this time it’s old fashioned gingerbread flavored!
Coworkers were particularly pleased when I brought these in. I don’t think they survived the day and there are only 7 of us in the lab. Who knew gingerbread would be so good dressed up a the cousin of a cheesecake?
What are you baking for the holidays? Pecan fruit cake and potica are staples in my family (besides sugar cookie cut outs). I know a lot of people don’t like fruit cake but I promise my dad’s is different.
Four years ago: Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Pilaf
Five years ago: Cider-Glazed Chicken with Browned Butter-Pecan Rice
Six years ago: Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix
Eight years ago: Breakfast Pizza
Nine years ago: Baked Oatmeal
GINGERBREAD GOOEY BUTTER CAKE
Makes 24 bars
Ingredients:
1 (14.5 oz) box gingerbread cake mix
4 eggs, room temperature
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 Tbsp molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
Directions:
- Place rack on the bottom third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, line with parchment paper leaving overhang, and grease the parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, with a hand mixer on low speed mix together the cake mix, 2 of the eggs, and butter until combined. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly along the bottom of the pan and up the sides about 1/2 inch. Wipe off mixers and bowl.
- In the same bowl, on low speed mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the remaining 2 eggs and mix until smooth and creamy. Pour on top of the crust and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes or until set. Allow to cool for two hours on a cooling rack before cutting and serving (speed up process by placing in the refrigerator once no longer oven-hot. Keep leftovers refrigerated.
Source: Adapted slightly from my Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake.
6 comments
I made these as the new addition to our Christmas cookie spread this past year. My son in particular LOVES gooey butter cake, so I knew they would be a winner. We love the taste but I have a question. Mine didn’t end up looking anything like yours do in your picture. Mine got very puffy and thick, and the two layers kind of mixed together instead of being two distinct layers. Any suggestions? Also, why is gingerbread mix so hard to find!!! Thanks for the new favorite.
Hey Kelly, I am so happy they were a welcome addition during the holidays! Unfortunately, I am unsure what could have caused that to happen other than possible differences between brands of gingerbread cake mix. I am fairly certain I used Betty Crocker. As for finding the mix, I agree! I sometimes am hesitant to share recipes with seasonal/special edition items because they can be limiting.
Thanks for getting back to me! I’m pretty sure that’s the brand I used (I got it at Walmart and that is what it shows they have in stock). It was definitely cake mix, not cookie mix, right? I do see that both are available. Regardless ‘ll definitely be making them regularly.!
Yes, definitely cake mix. I am glad to hear you still want to make them again despite the discrepancy!
Looks ooey gooey and full of gingerbread deliciousness!! I want a few of these squares right now!!
Reasonable desire!