St. Louis Style Gooey Butter Cake

My husband's work is having a "bake-off" tomorrow so he commissioned me to make something that will knock their socks off. Desiring to be a little more creative than a basic cookie or brownie, we thought we could take this opportunity to introduce those Chicagoans to a St. Louis staple, Gooey Butter Cake! You know one of the staples that is featured on my favorite St. Louis Style print that I have...

There are a variety of recipes out there, but this one is quite simple and the one my mother has been using for years straight from our parish cookbook.

Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 stick melted butter
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1lb. powdered sugar

Directions:

Mix the following, then spread into ungreased 9X13 cake pan (this part will be thick):

1 yellow cake mix

1 stick melted butter

2 eggs, beaten

Beat the following with a mixer until smooth, then pour over the thick batter:

8 oz. cream cheese

2 eggs

1lb. powdered sugar

Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Let cool and serve cut into squares to resemble a lemon bar or a coffee cake of sorts.

Before:

After:

I think the gooey center pieces are the best. It's rich though, so make sure you have plenty of people to share it with. Enjoy!

I'm a Mrs!

The dust has settled, the honeymoon is over and today was my first day back at work as a MRS.! Today was actually weird going back to work after being off for 2 whole weeks. Dave has much more vacation than me so he took 3 weeks off and got to sleep in today while I braved the cold and took the train to work :-(

It was strange today, I actually woke up nervous to go to work today, like I was starting a new job or something, only I have had this one for 2.5 years! I wonder if this is normal? My whole schedule has been out of whack too, I couldn't even remember what time to set my alarm for or how long it takes me to walk to the train in the morning...what did the wedding do to my brain!

Also, this is kind of sappy, but it would be the first time in over a week that I would spend my days without my new husband, or with anyone except for him. When did I become a needy wife? Oh yeah, just 11 days ago.

Once I got to work, it was just like old times and my co-workers (that attended) had lovely things to say about our day which was great.

I promise to post various photos and other details in posts along the way, but overall our day was wonderful. Wonderfully chilly, but I was warm off of adrenaline so I didn't seem to mind as much as the guests and the bridal party did. Here are a few photos to hold you over and I promise to post more soon!

Just Married!:

Our Exit Kiss:

Pretty Maids all in a Row:

Me with the Maids:

The Cake:

Centerpieces:

Farewell from the new Mr. & Mrs.:

More to come!