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Full pistachio gooey butter cake in a pan with golden edges and green swirls.

Pistachio Gooey Butter Cake

This revolutionary pistachio gooey butter cake combines the classic St. Louis comfort dessert with luxurious pistachio cream swirls. Featuring a tender cake base, silky cream cheese filling, and stunning marble patterns, this dessert bridges comfort and sophistication perfectly.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 28 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix 15.25 oz
  • ½ cup Salted Butter melted
  • 1 large Egg
For the Filling
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  • ½ cup Salted Butter melted
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ¾ cup Pistachio Cream
  • ½ teaspoon Flaky Salt

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Hand mixer
  • Large mixing bowls
  • measuring cups
  • rubber spatula
  • Sharp knife
  • parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined—about 2 minutes. Press into the bottom of the parchment paper-lined baking dish.
  3. Wipe out that same bowl (doesn't have to be all the way clean!). Add the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter and use a hand mixer to beat it until smooth.
  4. Mix in the powdered sugar, cup by cup, until it's smooth and creamy. Pour this mixture over the cake base.
  5. Add spoonfuls of the pistachio cream all over the top of the filling and swirl gently with a knife to create a cute organic pattern - making sure to stay on the surface layer.
  6. Place it in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set and starting to turn golden brown but the center is still jiggly.
  7. Let cool and stiffen slightly before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with flaky salt before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. The center should remain slightly jiggly when removed from oven - this creates the signature gooey texture. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.