Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration for the Decadent Gooey Chocolate Chip Butter Cake?
This recipe is inspired by the beloved Murdoch Perk in St. Louis.
What are the primary textures of this cake?
The cake features a rich, buttery crust that balances with a luxuriously gooey, chocolate-studded filling, offering both crispy and creamy textures.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan is required for this recipe?
An 11 x 13-inch baking pan is required.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Generously coat the baking pan with cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
What dry ingredients are included in the flour mixture?
The mixture consists of all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
What fats are used in the batter?
The batter uses a combination of softened unsalted butter and butter flavor shortening.
How much vanilla extract is needed in total?
A total of 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract is used, divided between the batter and the filling.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs in total.
How are the eggs divided during the preparation?
Two eggs are used for the cookie batter and the remaining two eggs are used for the cream cheese filling.
How should the flour mixture be added to the batter?
The flour mixture should be added gradually in three parts, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
How many chocolate chips are needed for the entire cake?
A total of 3 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips are required.
How are the chocolate chips distributed?
Fold 2 cups into the batter and stir the remaining 1 cup into the filling.
How much cream cheese is used in the filling?
The filling requires 12 ounces of softened cream cheese.
How much powdered sugar is used and how is it divided?
One pound of powdered sugar is used; most goes into the filling, with 1/4 cup reserved for dusting the top.
What is the first step in preparing the filling?
Beat the softened cream cheese until it is light and fluffy.
How do I assemble the layers of the cake?
Spread the cookie batter into the pan first, then pour the creamy filling evenly over the top.
How long does the cake need to bake?
Bake the cake for 40 to 50 minutes.
How can I tell when the cake is done baking?
The edges should be golden brown and the center should be just slightly wiggly.
What is the recommended cooling process?
Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Why must the cake be refrigerated before serving?
Refrigeration is necessary to achieve the best texture and flavor before cutting into squares.
What are the calories per serving for this cake?
There are approximately 325 calories per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 17.3g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 39.2g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does a serving provide?
A serving provides 3g of protein.
What type of chocolate chips are recommended?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are recommended for this recipe.
Does the recipe use light or dark brown sugar?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar.
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 distinct ingredients listed.
What tags define the category of this recipe?
Tags include chocolate, cake, dessert, butter cake, chocolate chip, and gooey.