Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake is a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert made with a simple red velvet cake mix crust and a rich, chocolatey cream cheese filling. These bars bake up with slightly crisp edges and a soft, fudgy center for the ideal balance of gooey and cake-like texture.
If you’re a fan of red velvet treats, this version is irresistible and easy to make.
The recipe begins with a cake mix crust that’s pressed into the pan, then topped with a creamy chocolate cream cheese filling. As it bakes, the filling sets around the edges while remaining lusciously gooey in the center—exactly what you want in a gooey butter cake.
It’s a straightforward dessert that looks impressive but comes together quickly, making it perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any time you need a dessert that feeds a crowd.
Table of contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake Bars
- How to Make Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake
- Tips for Perfect Gooey Butter Cake
- When to Serve Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake
- Red Velvet Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Variation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Gooey Butter Cake Recipes to Try
Why I Love This Recipe
There are several reasons this dessert is a favorite:
- Quick and easy: a cake mix crust speeds up prep.
- Delicious filling: chocolate cream cheese brings deep flavor.
- Ideal texture: fudgy center with slightly crisp edges.
- Feeds a crowd: yields about 24 bars.
- Versatile: great for holidays, potlucks, and gatherings.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake Bars
This Red Velvet Cream Cheese Butter Cake uses a short list of pantry-friendly ingredients.
For the Crust
- 15 oz red velvet cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
For the Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2–3 eggs (recipe lists 2 or 3 in different sections; use 3 for a creamier filling)
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 drops red gel food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake
Follow these simple steps for reliable results.
Step 1: Prepare the crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs (use 2–3), vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add 2–3 drops of red gel food coloring if you want a brighter red color. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 3: Bake
Spread the filling evenly over the crust and bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly — this is the signature gooey butter texture. Avoid overbaking.
Step 4: Cool and serve
Allow the cake to cool completely so the filling firms up for clean slices. Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar if desired, then cut into squares and serve.
Tips for Perfect Gooey Butter Cake
- Don’t overbake: the center should remain slightly soft to keep the gooey texture.
- Use softened cream cheese: this ensures a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Cool completely: wait until the bars are fully cooled before cutting for neat squares.
- Finish with powdered sugar: a light dusting gives a bakery-style presentation.
When to Serve Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake
These bars are ideal for special occasions and gatherings, including:
- Valentine’s Day
- Christmas cookie trays
- Church potlucks
- Family gatherings
- Holiday parties
With roughly 24 servings, this recipe is convenient for feeding a crowd without a lot of fuss.
Red Velvet Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Variation
Often called Red Velvet Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, this version highlights the slightly underbaked, soft center that defines gooey butter cake. The addition of cocoa and chocolate chips introduces a pleasant chocolate twist to the classic St. Louis-style dessert while preserving the rich red velvet color and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gooey butter cake originated in St. Louis and is known for a buttery base topped with a soft, cream cheese-based filling. The slightly gooey center after baking gives the dessert its name.
Yes. Make the bars a day ahead and store them covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Many people find the texture improves after resting.
Since the filling contains cream cheese, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for best safety and quality.
The edges should be set and lightly golden while the center still has a gentle jiggle. It will firm up as it cools.
Yes. Cut into bars and wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to two months.
This Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake is a repeat-worthy dessert: the combination of a tender cake mix crust and a creamy chocolate filling makes it ideal for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.
If you try the recipe, share how it turned out—whether it was for a special occasion or a simple sweet craving.
Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 15 oz box red velvet cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
For the Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2–3 eggs
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 drops red gel food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a bowl, beat together red velvet cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Press the mixture into the greased baking dish to form the crust.
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In another bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and red food coloring (if using) until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.
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Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. The edges should be set and the center slightly jiggly—do not overbake.
-
Cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired and cut into squares.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Nutrition Facts
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Calories: 299 kcal
More Gooey Butter Cake Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cake, try other gooey butter cake variations for a range of flavors. These easy cake mix desserts are rich, creamy, and ideal for holidays and gatherings.
The gallery below highlights a few popular variations to inspire your next bake.
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake (Easy Cake Mix Dessert Bars for a Crowd)
Strawberry Gooey Butter Cake (Easy Ooey Gooey Recipe)
Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Bars Recipe
