Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe
Have you ever visited Outback Steakhouse just for the dessert? I know I have! Their warm, gooey butter cake is legendary. It is rich, sweet, and feels like a warm hug.
Ingredients
For the Cake Base:
- 1 box 15.25 oz Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 large egg
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter melted
For the Creamy Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
For the Topping:
- Whipped cream optional
- Fresh strawberries
- Vanilla bean ice cream
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to $325^circ F$. Grease your cake pan very well with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the sticky sugar from clinging to the sides.
Mix the Cake Base
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, one egg, and melted butter. Use a spoon to mix until it forms a thick dough. It should feel like cookie dough.
Press Into Pan
- Press the dough into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use your fingers to spread it evenly. Make sure it covers the entire bottom surface firmly.
Beat the Cream Cheese
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Use an electric mixer to remove all lumps. This ensures a silky, creamy texture for the filling.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add two eggs and the vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Mix on medium speed until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula often.
Incorporate Butter and Sugar
- Pour in the remaining melted butter and the powdered sugar. Mix slowly at first so the sugar doesn't fly out. Beat until the mixture is completely smooth.
Pour and Bake
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base in the pan. Spread it out with a spatula. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the edges are golden.
Cool the Cake
- Remove the cake from the oven. The center should still jiggle slightly. Let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing it.
Notes
- Don't Overbake: The center must remain a bit soft to get that "ooey-gooey" effect.
- Room Temp Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese is very soft before mixing to avoid tiny white lumps.
- Add Citrus: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Salted Butter: If you love a salty-sweet combo, use salted butter instead of unsalted.
- Chocolate Version: Use a chocolate cake mix base for a rich "Death by Chocolate" butter cake.
- Use High-Quality Vanilla: Real vanilla bean paste makes the flavor much deeper and more authentic.