Holy Paula Dean

Sammy and I met our freshman year at James Madison University. We were suite mates, both with roommates named Caitlin and we were both from Pennsylvania (only 45 minutes away from each other). We became friends right away and later granted the nickname "Brammy" because we were always together.



We later roomed together sophmore year on campus and then 2 more years in an apartment off campus. And now we have both moved to the DC metro area.

Sammy lives in Alexandria with her boyfriend while I am in Silver Spring, which might as well be light years with DC traffic. We both have very different work schedules so seeing each other isn't always the easiest thing. So finally after 2 months or so we actually hung out.

With a reunion like this I couldn't go empty handed. Oh no, how rude would that be? So I came with arms full of goodies.

A large bottle of white wine of course and a chocolate gooey butter cake.



They seem pretty happy, can you tell?



Even Callie wanted one

During college Sammy told me her favorite cake was butter cake. I had no clue what this was so like any good detective I googled it. What came up you ask? None other than Paula Dean and her many recipes of butter laden cakes. I attemped to make said butter cake and well, it turned out a lot like a really dense cheesecake bar, good but not a real butter cake.

So I decided to try again and redeem myself with this butter filled treat. It should look like uncooked blondies or brownies. Gooey in the middle and slightly firm on top.




Did I mention the word try? Clearly butter cake and I seem to have some miscommunication problems. I started out the recipe with no problem and then misread 1/4 cup milk for 3/4 cup....needless to say it was quite a gooey crust instead of crumbly one. As panic struck, I added more flour to "even it out", and if you bake you know this is a terrible idea, this doesn't work, ever. It was a lost cause, I would either have to start over or accept defeat....Never!



So after crying like a 5 year old on the kitchen floor for 15 minutes and making a mess of the kitchen I threw away the gooey product and started over.




Armed with Butter



This time it went much more smoothly. I was determined to conquer this butter cake. Seriously the recipe is not complicated.

Press the crust in a pan


Top with the filling



Baked and cooled


They definitely need to cool for a good hour before cutting. The word gooey in the titled isn't for nothing. These were a challenge to cut into bars because of how gooey they are. But the more I let them cool the easier it got. Patience isn't one of my virtues.

And since I had a bottle of Bailey's sitting around I whipped up a Bailey's glaze to put on top of the butter cake. I have noticed I seem to be going through a phase with glazes, I've put one on most of the things I've baked recently. I like this phase.


Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake:

~Adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Crust:

2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

I stick of melted butter

In a bowl mix flour, sugar and baking powder. Add the egg and melted butter and beat until a dough starts to form. Add the 1/4 cup milk until together and crumbly.

Press into a 9X13 ungreased pan and set aside


Filling:

8oz of cream cheese

1 stick melted butter

2 eggs

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar

In a bowl beat the cream cheese until soft. Add one egg at a time until creamy. Add melted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture appears slightly thicker. Then add cocoa powder and confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time. Once all combined, pour over crust and spread with a spatula.

Bake for 40-45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.



See? Really not that complicated.