1-Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step ensures your cake bakes evenly and releases easily once done. For a helpful tip on other baked goods, check out our guide to funfetti Greek yogurt muffins, which shares similar prep techniques for fluffy results.

2-Mix the Cake Layer: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs until the mixture is thick and well blended. Spread this evenly in the baking dish to form a solid base. This combination creates the moist texture that makes butter cake so appealing.

3-Prepare the Gooey Layer: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly after each addition to avoid lumps. Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the cake layer for that irresistible gooey finish.

4-Bake and Cool: Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the edges turn brown and the center remains slightly jiggly remember, a jiggly center is a good sign for this recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to let the flavors set. This method, including the use of room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing, ensures the best results every time.