Wash Day Cake - Gooey Butter Cake Wash Day Cake, or Gooey Butter Cake as it is more well known, is a simple cake using cake mix to form a crust and topped with a powdered sugar and cream cheese filling.
Most people associate Gooey Butter Cake with Paula Deen, because it was brought to the forefront of everybody's attention and became famously associated with the Queen Deen, who added a multitude of variations to it. More of a bar cookie than a cake really, the truth is, it's a recipe that has been around a very long time, even before The Bag Lady lunch delivery, Lady & Son's, or Paula's thrust into fame via Food Network. It is often referred to as a 'Wash Day Cake,' due to its simplicity. This recipe is a tiny bit different from Paula Deen's, with a little less butter, and including a little coconut and nut in the cake crust. You may certainly omit them both if you prefer. Most of y'all know that I'm not a huge dessert eater which is why you don't see as many sugary treats on my site as you generally will on other southern recipe sites. My taste buds lean more toward the savory side of foods, so for me desserts are not a regular indulgence, but more of an occasional treat. This would be one that should be considered in that category. This cake is as rich and sweet as the day is long, so don't be tempted to frost it, or add any kind of a glaze or sweetened fruit topping because it's just too much. I highly suggest taking this cake to a potluck, church supper or bible study, or any other gathering where there are plenty of folks to share it with. Seriously. Author: Mary <http://localhost:5918/getImage?rid=610482&entity=4> Ingredients For the Crust: .1 (2 layer size) yellow cake mix .1/2 cup of grated fresh or frozen coconut, thawed .3/4 cup of chopped pecan .1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, melted and cooled .1 large egg For the Filling: .1 (8 ounce) block of cream cheese, at room temperature .1 (1 pound) box of powdered sugar .2 large eggs .1 teaspoon of vanilla extract .1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter, melted and cooled Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray; set aside. For the crust, whisk together the cake mix, coconut and pecan; add 1 stick of melted butter and 1 egg and blend in. Pat into the prepared pan and slightly up the sides. For the filling, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and remaining two eggs, until well blended; add the vanilla and remaining half stick of melted butter. Blend together and add to the top of the cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes, taking care not to overbake. The center should still be a little gooey and a toothpick will come out with just a bit of crumb on it. Set aside to cool. Cut into small squares for serving. Cook's Notes: I used Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Butter Golden cake mix. Okay to omit the coconut and nuts, and substitute shelf stable coconut, but be aware that is generally highly sweetened. Variations: Pumpkin Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix or substitute spice cake. Omit coconut, adding a 15-ounce can of pumpkin to the cream cheese filling. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake. Garnish top of dessert with whole pecan halves, if desired, one for each serving square and serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream to top. Grate fresh nutmeg over each serving. Pineapple Gooey: Omit coconut, adding a 20-ounce can of well drained, crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Lemon Gooey: Use a yellow or lemon cake mix. Omit coconut and pecan. Add the juice and zest of 1 lemon to the cream cheese filling. Carrot Cake Gooey: Omit coconut. Use a spice cake or carrot cake mix, and add 1 cup of finely grated carrots to the cream cheese filling. Peanut Butter Gooey: Use a white, yellow or chocolate cake mix. Omit coconut and substitute peanuts in the crust or omit. Add 1 cup of creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling. Garnish top lightly with chopped peanuts, if desired. Chocolate Chip Gooey: Use white, yellow or chocolate cake mix. Omit coconut. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped nuts on top of filling before baking. Fruit Gooey: Use a white or yellow cake mix. Omit coconut and pecans, if desired. Add 1 ripe mashed banana, or 1 small can of well drained mandarin oranges, or 1 cup of blueberries, or sliced strawberries, drained if frozen. Source: deepsouthdish.com <http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2013/02/wash-day-cake-gooey-butter-cake.html?utm_source=BP_recent> -- *Ginny Butterfield Cranberry Twp, PA * [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAKE-RECIPE/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAKE-RECIPE/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
