Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe

Craving that iconic dessert from your favorite steakhouse? This Outback Steakhouse butter cake recipe brings all the gooey, buttery goodness straight to your kitchen. Known for its incredibly rich texture and irresistible sweetness, this copycat version captures every decadent bite of the original.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating your family to something special, this homemade butter cake delivers restaurant-quality results. The combination of a tender cake base and creamy, lemon-kissed topping creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward techniques, you’ll wonder why you ever waited for a restaurant visit to enjoy this beloved dessert.

Why You Will Love This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake

The first bite of this butter cake is pure indulgence – imagine sinking your fork into layers of contrasting textures that melt together harmoniously. The bottom layer provides a dense, buttery foundation that’s reminiscent of a rich shortbread cookie, offering just enough structure to support the luxurious topping above.

The cream cheese layer delivers a tangy-sweet sensation that perfectly balances the richness below. With hints of vanilla and bright lemon zest, this gooey topping provides a delightful contrast to the cake base. The texture is gloriously messy – somewhere between cheesecake filling and frosting.

Each forkful combines these elements into one heavenly experience. The powdered sugar dusting adds a final touch of sweetness while creating an elegant presentation that makes this humble dessert feel truly special.

Ingredients Used in This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe

For the Cake Base:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Essential Kitchen Equipment Required

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Electric mixer
3. Spatula
4. 9×13 inch baking dish
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Zester or fine grater
7. Cooling rack
8. Sieve (for dusting)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12-15 squares

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe

1. Prepare the cake base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir by hand with a spatula until everything is well mixed. The mixture will be thick, like dough.

2. Form the crust
Spread the mixture evenly into the bottom of your greased 9×13 inch baking dish, pressing it down to cover all corners. It’s the crust, so it doesn’t need to be perfect, just even.

3. Make the cream cheese topping
In another bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the softened cream cheese, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Add flavorings
Add the fresh lemon zest and mix it in. Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is blended.

5. Assemble the cake
Pour the cream cheese topping over the crust in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, being careful not to disturb the crust below.

6. Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled cake in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The top should be golden and slightly puffed up, with the center still a bit jiggly-that’s what makes it gooey!

7. Cool and finish
Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack, about 1 hour. Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar. Cut the cake into squares or bars and serve.

Notable Tips to Make This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe Perfect

Here are some notable tips, that can help you to make this recipe perfect in the very first attempt. Check below

1. Let Your Eggs Get Warm First
Take your eggs out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start. Cold eggs don’t mix well. Room temperature eggs make your cake smooth and fluffy. Trust me, this small step makes a big difference!

2. Make Sure Your Cream Cheese is Soft
Hard cream cheese will make lumps in your cake. Take it out of the fridge 1 hour before you cook. If you forget, cut it into small pieces. It will get soft faster that way.

3. Grease Your Pan Really Well
Use butter or cooking spray on your pan. Cover every corner and side. If you don’t, your cake will stick. Nobody wants a broken cake that won’t come out of the pan!

4. Don’t Mix the Bottom Layer Too Much
The cake mix layer should look like thick cookie dough. Mix it just until it comes together. Too much mixing makes it tough. You want it thick and easy to press down.

5. Press the Bottom Layer Down Good
Use your hands or a spoon to press the cake mix down. Make sure it covers the whole pan. Press it into all the corners. This makes a strong base for your gooey top layer.

6. Sift Your Powdered Sugar
Lumpy powdered sugar makes lumpy frosting. Use a small strainer to make it smooth. Or you can buy the kind that says “no lumps” on the box. Your cake top will be so much smoother!

7. Add Sugar Slowly to the Cream Cheese
Don’t dump all the sugar in at once. Add one cup at a time. Mix well after each cup. This stops lumps from forming. Your mixer will thank you too!

8. Don’t Over-Bake Your Cake
The middle should still wiggle a little when you shake the pan. That’s what makes it gooey! If you bake it too long, it gets hard like regular cake. We want it soft and melty.

9. Let It Cool All the Way
I know it’s hard to wait, but let your cake cool for a full hour. If you cut it too soon, it will be a mess. The good news? It tastes even better when it’s cool!

10. Cut with a Clean Knife
Wipe your knife clean after each cut. This keeps your squares looking neat. Dip the knife in warm water if the cake sticks to it. Clean cuts make your cake look like it came from a fancy restaurant!

Some Delicious Ways to Enjoy This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake

Whether it’s a party, family function or you are enjoying this Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake at your home, the following serving ideas can make your meal more comfortable and delicious to enjoy.

1. With Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Trust us on this one! The cold, creamy ice cream creates the most amazing temperature contrast with the warm, gooey cake. We always serve it slightly warmed with a generous scoop on the side.

2. Fresh Berry Compote
Last summer, we started serving this with a simple strawberry-blueberry compote, and guests couldn’t stop raving about it. The tartness of the berries perfectly balances the rich sweetness of the cake.

3. Caramel Drizzle and Sea Salt
This combination happened by accident when we had leftover caramel sauce, but now it’s our go-to for special occasions. Just a light drizzle and a pinch of flaky sea salt transforms each bite.

4. Whipped Cream and Lemon Zest
Since the cake already has lemon zest, we love doubling down with fresh whipped cream and extra lemon zest on top. It makes the citrus notes really pop.

5. Coffee or Espresso
We’ve found this pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee. The bitter notes complement the sweetness perfectly, making it ideal for brunch or an afternoon treat.

6. Toasted Coconut Flakes
One of our favorite discoveries was sprinkling toasted coconut flakes on top before serving. It adds a delightful crunch and tropical flavor that surprisingly works so well.

7. Chocolate Shavings
For the chocolate lovers in our family, we sometimes add dark chocolate shavings on top. The slight bitterness of good dark chocolate creates an amazing flavor balance.

8. Warm Fruit Compote
During fall, we love serving this with warm apple or pear compote spiced with cinnamon. It feels like the ultimate comfort dessert combination.

9. Cream Cheese Frosting or Pineapple Dip
Yes, more cream cheese! We sometimes add an extra dollop of cream cheese frosting or Brenda Gantt Pineapple Dip on the side for those who want even more richness. It’s indulgent but so worth it.

10. With After-Dinner Drinks
We’ve served this alongside dessert wines, port, or even bourbon. The cake holds up beautifully to these stronger flavors and makes for an elegant end to dinner parties.

How to Store This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Properly

Store leftover butter cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, serve at room temperature or slightly warm. To reheat individual portions, microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that signature gooey consistency.

FAQs on This Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Outback Steakhouse Butter Cake Recipe that people often ask.

1. What is butter cake Outback Steakhouse?

From our experience recreating this beloved dessert, Outback Steakhouse butter cake is a two-layer dessert featuring a dense, buttery cake base topped with a gooey cream cheese layer. It’s served warm with powdered sugar and has that signature “gooey butter” texture that makes it so addictive. We’ve found it’s similar to St. Louis gooey butter cake but with Outback’s own twist.

2. What are the ingredients for butter cake?

Based on our recipe testing, you’ll need yellow cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and fresh lemon zest. We’ve tried various combinations, and this specific mix creates that authentic Outback flavor. The key is using real butter and full-fat cream cheese – we’ve learned that substitutions just don’t deliver the same rich results.

3. Does Outback Steakhouse use butter?

Absolutely! From our recipe development, we can confirm that butter is essential to achieving that signature taste and texture. We use a full half-cup of melted butter in the base layer, which creates that dense, shortbread-like foundation. Without real butter, you simply can’t replicate Outback’s distinctive flavor profile.

4. Can I make this butter cake ahead of time?

In our experience, this cake actually improves after sitting overnight! We recommend making it a day ahead and storing it covered in the refrigerator. The flavors meld beautifully, and the texture becomes even more decadent. Just bring it to room temperature before serving, or warm individual pieces slightly.

5. Why is my butter cake too dry?

We’ve encountered this issue during our testing, and it usually comes down to overbaking. The center should still be slightly jiggly when you remove it from the oven. We’ve found that checking at the 30-minute mark prevents overbaking. Also, make sure your cream cheese is properly softened – cold cream cheese can lead to a less creamy texture.

6. Can I use homemade cake mix instead of boxed?

While we’ve experimented with homemade cake mix, we consistently get better results with boxed yellow cake mix. The specific blend of ingredients in commercial mixes creates that authentic Outback texture. If you must use homemade, we recommend a basic yellow cake recipe with similar proportions.

7. How do I know when the butter cake is done?

From our baking experience, look for a golden-brown top that’s slightly puffed but still has a gentle jiggle in the center when you shake the pan. We’ve learned that the “toothpick test” doesn’t work here – you actually want some gooeyness! The edges should be set while the center remains soft.

8. Can I freeze Outback butter cake?

We’ve successfully frozen this cake for up to 3 months. Cut it into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. When ready to serve, we thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and warm it slightly before serving. The texture holds up remarkably well.

9. What’s the secret to getting the gooey texture?

Through our recipe testing, we’ve discovered the secret is in the cream cheese layer consistency and not overbaking. Make sure your cream cheese is completely smooth before adding other ingredients, and gradually incorporate the powdered sugar. The slight undertaking creates that signature gooey center that Outback is famous for.

10. Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

We’ve successfully doubled this recipe many times for large gatherings. Use a larger pan (like a half-sheet pan) and increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes. Just keep an eye on it and look for the same visual cues – golden top with a slight jiggle. We find it’s perfect for potlucks and holiday gatherings.

This Outback Steakhouse butter cake recipe proves that restaurant-quality desserts are absolutely achievable in your own kitchen. The combination of simple ingredients and foolproof techniques makes this an ideal dessert for both novice and experienced bakers.

Try this recipe for your next gathering and watch as guests ask for seconds-and the recipe! Have you made this butter cake yet? Share your results in the comments below and let us know how your homemade version compared to the restaurant original.

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