Ooey Gooey Coconut Cake

Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious Ooey Gooey Coconut Cake, gather the following ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 large eggs, divided
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract (or substitute with 1/2 cup shredded coconut for extra texture)
These simple pantry staples come together to create a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a bakery.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Ooey Gooey Coconut Cake is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these steps:

1. Preheat Your Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy removal later.
2. Prepare the Cake Base
   In a mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, melted butter, and 2 eggs. Stir until the mixture forms a soft dough-like consistency. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to create the crust layer.
3. Make the Creamy Topping
   In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and coconut extract (or shredded coconut). Mix until smooth and creamy. This will be your luscious topping layer.
4. 4. Assemble the Cake
5. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake crust in the baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula to ensure every bite has that ooey-gooey goodness.
6. 5. Bake to Perfection
7. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown but still slightly jiggly in the center. This jiggle indicates that the topping is perfectly gooey!
8. 6. Cool and Serve
9. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing into squares or bars. This step is crucial for achieving clean slices and ensuring the layers set properly. Serve as is, or top with a dollop of whipped cream or toasted coconut flakes for an extra-special touch!
10. Tips for Success
11. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free topping.
12. Don’t Overbake: The center should remain slightly jiggly when you remove it from the oven; this ensures the gooey texture we all love!
13. Coconut Variations: If you’re a die-hard coconut fan, feel free to sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking or fold some into the cream cheese mixture for added texture.
14. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This cake tastes just as amazing chilled!