The Ultimate Guide to Gooey Butter Cake in St. Louis

Discover the Best Gooey Butter Cake in St Louis & Learn How This Sweet Treat Became A St. Louis Icon

A Brief History of Gooey Butter Cake

Gooey Butter Cake is one of many local-to-STL dishes that make St Louis a true foodie destination, similar to St Louis Style-Pizza and Toasted Ravioli.  Despite a few claims on the true creator of Gooey Butter Cake, this delightful dessert has roots planted firmly in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. Legend has it that this indulgent cake was created by accident in the 1930s when a German baker mistakenly added too much butter to a standard coffee cake recipe. The result was a gooey, pudding-like consistency. Rather than discarding it, the baker decided to sell it, and gooey butter cake quickly became a local sensation. Over the decades, gooey butter cake has solidified its place as a quintessential St. Louis treat, beloved by locals and visitors alike.  Gooey Butter Cake is traditionally eaten in the morning, similar to coffee cake, although it can be enjoyed any time of day.   

Jump ahead to the find The Best Gooey Butter Cake in St Louis.

Types of Gooey Butter Cake Recipes

Gooey butter cake is a layered confection, the base layer being more dense (think cake or cookie like texture depending on the recipe), while the top layer is sweeter, with a creamy, custard-like consistency.  The treat is finalized with a snow-like dusting of powdered sugar.  Many home & restaurant chefs infuse seasonal ingredients to the recipe like chocolate chips, pumpkin, strawberry, banana foster for a twist on the classic.     

Original Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

The original 1930’s gooey butter cake recipe is characterized by its dense, chewy base and its sweet, gooey topping. The base layer is less sweet & made with a yeast-based dough consisting of wheat cake flour, butter, and eggs.  The sweet topping consists of a mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs, resulting in a gooey, sticky layer that melts in your mouth. 

Cream Cheese Gooey Butter Cake

The cream cheese version of gooey butter cake is often better known and more popular than the original.  You will be hard pressed to find a non-cream cheese version made in a St Louis establishment these days, although there are several recipes online that exclude this ingredient.  The addition of cream cheese adds a delightful tanginess that balances the sweetness of the dessert, making it a popular choice among gooey butter cake aficionados.

Yellow Cake Mix or No Yellow Cake Mix – That is the Question

There is a lot of debate on whether using a box of yellow cake mix in gooey butter cake’s base is better than a homemade cake base.  The original recipe of course did not include a box of cake mix, but many recipes include it to speed up baking time and enhance the sweet flavor.  Personally, I enjoy both homemade and boxed cake mix versions.  I grew up eating my mom’s Gooey Butter Cake, which I love & it includes the yellow cake mix. I often bake this recipe for gatherings and it’s simply a hit.  Some argue that it’s a bit too sweet and prefer a homemade base.  If you have ever baked gooey butter cake, does your recipe include a box of yellow cake?  Share in the comments at the end of the article.  

Where to Eat the Best Gooey Butter Cake in St. Louis

Gooey Butter Cake has had a piece of my heart since I was old enough to chew! I’ve been on a mission to uncover the best gooey butter cakes in St Louis, which means I’ve taste-tested more than I care to admit. If you’re looking for the best gooey butter cake in St. Louis, get your fix at one of the 5 places below, you can’t go wrong!

Companion Bakery & Cafe

Companion Bakery & Café is a lovely, locally owned café serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.  They are best known for their award-winning bread, sandwiches & salads. But no visit is complete, in my opinion, without an item from their bakery!  Companion freshly bakes 2 versions of Gooey Butter cake – a Regular & a Deep Dish.  Their deep-dish gooey butter has thicker cake base whereas the classic has a thinner base that’s less sweet.  Both come with a hefty dusting of powdered sugar – no light sprinkling here!  I’m partial to the deep dish version, but both versions are excellent. The individual servings are giant and can easily be shared amongst friends.  

Visit Companion Café in Ladue: 9781 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63124

Russell’s

Russell’s is a charming neighborhood café and bakery that’s earned a reputation for its mouthwatering cake selections, seasonal farm-to-table dinners and weekend brunch.  Their gooey butter cakes are out of this world, featuring flakey, buttery crust (no yellow cake mix here) with a paper-thin, crackly top that is reminiscent of crème brulee.  In addition to their classic offerings, Russell’s also offers unique flavors like pumpkin & lemon, making it a must-visit destination for gooey butter cake lovers.  Gooey Butter cake is sold as a whole cake or by the piece.

Visit Russell’s in 2 St Louis Area locations:

• Russell’s on Macklind –  5400 Murdoch Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
• Russell’s Fenton – 952 Brookwood Center  St. Louis, MO 63026

Kaldi’s Coffee

Kaldi’s a locally owned coffeeshop chain with locations in St Louis, Columbia, MO and Atlanta, GA.  In addition to brewing-up sustainable coffee creations, Kaldi’s offers a delicious selection of seasonal breakfast, lunch & bakery items.   Their gooey butter cake is superb!  The buttery bottom layer has a slight crisp to the edges, which complements the gooey soft top. It’s sold in individual servings & very popular – make sure to go early in the day, as they have been known to sell out!  Kaldi’s originally opened in 1994 in the Demun neighborhood and has grown into one of the leading specialty coffee companies in the nation.

Visit Kaldi’s in one of 13 locations in the St Louis Area, 1 in Columbia, MO or 4 in Atlanta, GA

Gooey Louie

Gooey Louie has officially been in business since 2006, but their families cherished gooey butter recipe goes back four generations.  Their rich, yellow cake base is made from scratch and topped with a luscious cream cheese-based goo.  Their crackery crème brulee crust on top seals the deal on this delicious treat.  Gooey Louie is in the business of selling whole gooey butter cakes, but they do have a mini version if you just want single serving.  Their seasonal & specialty versions offer a lot of fun with flavors like Chocoloate Chippewa, Chocolate Hazelnut & Redbird Velvet. Gooey Louie’s cakes make perfect gifts for out-of-towners with adorable packaging that explain the history of this legendary dessert.   In addition to their retail locations, Gooey Louie’s cakes are available for nationwide shipping on Goldbelly!

Visit Gooey Louie in soon to be 3 locations:

• Creve Coeur – 11266 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63141
• Clayton – 7719 Clayton Rd, Clayton, MO 63117
• Kirkwood – opening in Spring 2025!

Mac’s Local Eats

Mac’s Local Eats is a burger joint at heart, and takes the business of sourcing locally & sustainably seriously.  Nearly everything on their menu is made in-house, from scratch – including their whole cow, dry-aged beef smashed burgers and house chili.  Despite not being a traditional bakery, their Gooey Butter Cupcakes are to-die-for and are the perfect size after devouring one of their mouthwatering burgers.  With a buttery cake-like bottom, gooey sweet top and ample dusting of powder sugar, you will be in St Louis heaven after indulging here.  Seasonally, you may find big hunks of their gooey butter cupcakes sneaking into the milkshakes…. and what’s not to like about that?!

Visit Mac’s Local Eats in St Louis at 5656 Oakland Ave.

Gooey Butter Cake – Conclusion

Gooey butter cake is more than just a breakfast treat —it’s a cherished part of St. Louis’ culinary heritage.  And there is no shortage of places in the city & surrounding area where you can indulge. From classic bakeries to modern cafés & burger joints, St. Louis offers a wealth of options for gooey butter cake enthusiasts. So, the next time you find yourself in the Gateway City, be sure to sample some of the best gooey butter cakes it has to offer and experience a taste of St. Louis history.

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