Gooey Butter Cake

I am from a Southern family (mom is from Lousiana, dad is from Texas), but I grew up in St. Louis, MO due to my dad's job. Gooey butter cake is a dessert staple at almost any Midwestern event. It is, as the name denotes, gooey and buttery. It is rich and delicious and incredibly easy to make. The consistency is similar to that of a lemon bar. It tastes Southern to me, so I was AMAZED that no one in the South has heard of it! I made it for a bake sale at Kevin's work and it was a huge hit. Kevin also loved it and he isn't a big fan of desserts! Southerners (and Northerners) this is a recipe you will keep comin' back for!

-Ingredients-

1 package yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, etc)

1/2 cup of butter, melted

4 eggs

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese

4 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar

-Directions-

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Mix cake mix, melted butter, 1 (ONE) teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2 (TWO) eggs with a spoon in a 13x9 baking dish. Spread it out along the bottom of the dish after mixing.

3. Mix cream cheese, 2 (TWO) eggs, and 1 (ONE) teaspoon of vanilla extract with an electric mixer.

4. Slowly mix in the confectioner's sugar, a little at a time. Pour over the cake layer.

5. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool.

*Dusting the top with additional powdered sugar is optional. Try it both ways and see which one you prefer!*