Wash Day Gooey Cake

For the Crust:

 

1 (2 layer size) yellow cake mix

1/2 cup of grated fresh or frozen coconut, thawed

3/4 cup of chopped pecan

1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 large egg

 

For the Filling:

 

1 (8 ounce) block of cream cheese, at room temperature

1 (1 pound) box of powdered sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter, melted and cooled

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray; set aside.

For the crust,

 

 whisk together the cake mix, coconut and pecan; add 1 stick of melted butter and 1 egg and blend in. Pat into the prepared pan and slightly up the sides. For the filling, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and remaining two eggs, until well blended; add the vanilla and remaining half stick of melted butter. Blend together and add to the top of the cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes, taking care not to overbake. The center should still be a little gooey and a toothpick will come out with just a bit of crumb on it. Set aside to cool. Cut into small squares for serving.

Cook's Notes: I used Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Butter Golden cake mix. Okay to omit the coconut and nuts, and substitute shelf stable coconut, but be aware that is generally highly sweetened.

Variations:

Pumpkin Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix or substitute spice cake. Omit coconut, adding a 15-ounce can of pumpkin to the cream cheese filling. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake. Garnish top of dessert with whole pecan halves, if desired, one for each serving square and serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream to top. Grate fresh nutmeg over each serving.

Pineapple Gooey: Omit coconut, adding a 20-ounce can of well drained, crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling.

Lemon Gooey: Use a yellow or lemon cake mix. Omit coconut and pecan. Add the juice and zest of 1 lemon to the cream cheese filling.

Carrot Cake Gooey: Omit coconut. Use a spice cake or carrot cake mix, and add 1 cup of finely grated carrots to the cream cheese filling.

Peanut Butter Gooey: Use a white, yellow or chocolate cake mix. Omit coconut and substitute peanuts in the crust or omit. Add 1 cup of creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling. Garnish top lightly with chopped peanuts, if desired.

Chocolate Chip Gooey: Use white, yellow or chocolate cake mix. Omit coconut. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped nuts on top of filling before baking.

Fruit Gooey: Use a white or yellow cake mix. Omit coconut and pecans, if desired. Add 1 ripe mashed banana, or 1 small can of well drained mandarin oranges, or 1 cup of blueberries, or sliced strawberries, drained if frozen.