Indulge in St. Louis gooey butter cake, a dessert made for a crowd

According to legend, gooey butter cake originated from a baking error in an unnamed St. Louis bakery in the early 20th century. Despite its uncertain origins, the cake became popular and was sold despite its unintended consistency. Traditionally, gooey butter cake consists of two distinct layers: a breadlike base and a gooey, honey-colored top. Newspaper archives and old recipes suggest that the original recipe used a yeasted base and a topping with butter, sugar, and corn syrup. In the 1990s, a shortcut version emerged, using a yellow cake mix base and cream cheese in the topping. The traditional gooey butter cake is more nuanced in flavor than the shortcut version. Using yeast for the base is recommended for a more authentic and flavorful cake. Gooey butter cake is a hybrid between coffee cake and dessert, making it suitable for any time of day. Despite the mystery surrounding its creation, gooey butter cake has become an iconic St. Louis dessert. The evolution of gooey butter cake reflects the changing tastes and culinary shortcuts over time.