
There is nothing more satisfying than spending time baking something yummy and filling for my family and friends, especially when it is something as yummy as this gooey butter cake.
I adore cooking for others. Especially if it puts a smile on people’s faces. I’ll happily get involved with catering for other people’s events but only on the condition, others stay out of my kitchen. I am not a fan of other people ‘meddling’ when I’m cooking. Cook do the washing up, oh yes please, but never meddle in the cooking part.
I hadn’t spent an afternoon cooking due to our house move for quite a while and it was just what I was craving.
I gathered the ingredients together and in an instant, my little helper (daughter) had arrived. It doesn’t take her long to appear if she thinks there is some form of baking going on. Baking with my kids makes me even happier and luckily both of them enjoy cooking.
Gooey butter cakes are a none traditional tray bake. The base is a bread dough and the top half is s very buttery cake. This is not a cake for someone on a low fat diet. The word butter in the name is a bit of an understatement for these yummy little bites. The slices are rich and this isn’t a cake you sit and eat in one sitting. For me, that’s great as usually I bake, I blink and the kids have eaten it all. I know with this cake they’ll be another slice for the next day.
I’ll start by saying this gooey butter cake is not one you can whip up in 10 minutes. It takes a few hours but sometimes it good to take time and create yummy goodness.
Ingredients
For the dough base
- 55ml milk
- 55ml water
- 50g unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 tsp dried yeast
- 265g plain flour
- 50g caster sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
For the butter cake topping
- 310g unsalted butter
- 160ml condensed milk
- 160g golden syrup
- 2 eggs
- 90g plain flour
- 2 teaspoons vanila extract
- pinch of salt
Icing sugar to decorate
Method
The cake is made in two parts. To make the dough base:
- Preheat oven at 175.
- Grease and flour a 23 x 32 cm loose bottomed tin.
- In a saucepan gently heat milk, water and butter. Then add the yeast.
- In a separate bowl mix together the flour, sugar and salt. Add the liquid mix after 10 minutes.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- Using an electric mixer, preferably with a dough hook mix for a couple of minutes.
- Scrap the dough down the bowl and mix for a further 10 minutes.
- Push the dough in to the baking tin.
- Place somewhere warm whilst you prepare the butter cake mix.
Now to make the butter cake topping you need to:
- Using an electric whisk beat the butter for 5 minutes until soft and fluffy
- Add half of the condensed milk and whisk for a further 5 minutes.
- Add the golden syrup and mix well
- Add the salt to the flour
- Add the egg and flour/salt mix a bit at a time
- Mix in the remaining condensed milk and vanilla extract
- Whisk until you have a light and fluffy batter
- Pour over the dough base and cook for 30 minutes
- The cake batter will still be a little spongy to the touch. Don’t worry it will stiffen up once cooled.
- Allow to cool then cut into squares
- Dust with icing sugar

What I have found with this cake is it tastes best if left for 12/24 hours as the butter in the topping soaks into the dough. This cake should never be eaten warm. Sometimes s slight less warm co cake can taste so much better than a cooled cupcake but not with this cake. The topping can be greasy due to the amount of butter used so take my advice and be patient, you won’t regret waiting with this slice of goodness.
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This looks really good i wish I had more time to bake. I end up buying most of my cakes from the shop
Good lord, get that in my belly!!!!!
It looks amazing Candace and I’ll be giving it a go soon for sure!xx
Hope you’re feeling ok today.x
Gemma Nuttall recently posted…Shopping lucky dip…
Wow, these look amazing! I’m a huge fan of tray bakes, and an even bigger fan of condensed milk, golden syrup and butter!
Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Makeup for M&S
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I bet they taste fantastic with a cup of tea. 😀
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) recently posted…Review: FabLittleBag
This is a new one on me and it looks and sounds totally delicious – will have to try it out so I can have a taste!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Chocolate and Salted Caramel Nest Cakes
ooo this looks really good, and as I was scrolling down to comment the husband walked behind me and went “ooo are ou making that next?!” haha
Charlotte recently posted…14 Recipe’s For Quinoa Inspiration
Do you know I don’t think I have ever tried butter cake?! Looks gorgeous though so sending recipe to my husband (he is the real baker in our house!)
We’ve never heard of butter cake but this sounds scrummy and nice and easy to make! Thanks for sharing the recipe xx
Baby Isabella recently posted…Going Nutty for Putty!
I second Emma’s sentiments, maybe me and Emma can come up to your house and have a slice of your delicious cake?!
Ana De- Jesus recently posted…Blog Against Poverty With Oxfam
Butter cake is found in a select few bakeries in Philadelphia and possibly south jersey still. Recipe seems spot on with others i have found.
I’d never heard of this type of cake before. The recipe seems easy to follow. I might give it a go!
Leanne recently posted…BEAUTY: Introducing Mary Kay Nail Lacquers
MMM looks lovely, I love golden surupy things. Only prop Lemnos you said this takes time to make – I think I need this now #PregnancyCravings – can someone please bring me some?
I’ve never tried butter cake, had never even heard of it! I’m trying to imagine what it tastes like but can’t quite get there 🙂 I’d say it’s delicious though and I love anything with butter so I’d probably really enjoy this one.
Cliona recently posted…Lidl Running Gear Review
My baby is actually kicking me merciless I read this recipe, I must have released some serious happy vibes! This looks awesome, I’ll hopefully have some time on maternity leave to give them a try with the help of my son who’s just starting to take an interest in cooking xx
Oh wow! This looks absolutely delicious. I bet it would be the perfect pairing with a good coffee when those afternoon cravings hit x
Kat Eat.Love.Live recently posted…Review: Scandal Water Sessions – Punch Room At The London Edition
OMG this looks delicious. I love butter cake!! I’m literally looking at the screen and craving one now!! lol 🙂 xx
A Moment with Franca recently posted…Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Tag
Oh this looks so delicious – I can taste it! I do wish I could bake. Kaz x
Ickle Pickle recently posted…My Fairy Garden Give Away
I have never heard of a cake made like this! I will have to give it a try #tastytuesday
I’ve never heard of butter cake but these babies look like what I love to have with a strong cuppa!
I’ve never even heard of Butter Cake before, but it’s definitely something to try. I love warm cake and can hardly resist it, so this would be a challenge for me! 😀
Jenny @ thebrickcastle recently posted…Vegetarian Fajitas in 20 minutes with Iceland Foods #PowerOfFrozen
I haven’t eaten a butter cake in years. My Gran used to bake them quite a lot though so they’re full of lovely memories for me. I am going to have to try out this recipe soon, thanks for sharing Candace.
Your butter cake looks delicious Candace, a real treat. I like how you’ve used a yeasted dough as a base, one for me to try, pinned for later x
It tastes lovely but don’t eat it warm. Has to be eaten cold