Gooey butter cake is a type of coffee cake that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. It has a soft, gooey consistency and is made with a layer of sweet yeast dough covered in a thick topping of cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. Gooey butter cake is extremely popular in the St. Louis area and is considered one of the city’s signature desserts. So an important question for St. Louis natives and transplants is: Does Schnucks sell gooey butter cake?
About Schnucks
Schnucks is a major supermarket chain that operates over 100 stores primarily in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The company was founded in St. Louis in 1939 and maintains its headquarters in the area. Given its St. Louis roots, Schnucks aims to cater to local tastes by offering food products popular in the region.
Schnucks and Gooey Butter Cake
The answer is yes, Schnucks does sell gooey butter cake at many of its locations. According to Schnucks’ website, over 50 Schnucks stores in the St. Louis area carry gooey butter cake in their bakery departments. There are a few different varieties offered:
Traditional Gooey Butter Cake
This is the classic version – yellow cake layered with a sweet cream cheese topping. It’s rich, dense, and extremely gooey, just as it should be.
Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Cake
This variety contains chocolate chips both in the cake layer and the topping, providing chocolate lovers with an extra dose of their favorite flavor.
Cinnamon Streusel Gooey Butter Cake
This twist on the original has a layer of cinnamon streusel baked into the top, adding a hint of spice and crunch.
In addition to the standard flavors, some Schnucks locations offer rotating seasonal varieties like pumpkin or eggnog. Around the holidays, gooey butter cakes with festive decorations are available.
Where to Find Gooey Butter Cake at Schnucks
Wondering if your local Schnucks bakery stocks gooey butter cake? Here are some tips:
- Check the Schnucks website – they have a bakery finder tool where you can enter your zip code and see exactly which cakes each store offers.
- Call your local Schnucks bakery department and ask if they carry gooey butter cake.
- Speak to a bakery team member in person during your next visit and inquire about gooey butter cake availability.
- Look in the refrigerator bakery case – this is often where pre-packaged gooey butter cakes are displayed.
- Check the shelves near the bakery – stores may stock boxes of gooey butter cake mix so you can bake it at home.
- Ask customer service to check if any gooey butter cake is available if you don’t see it.
Nutrition Information
Like most indulgent baked goods, gooey butter cake is high in calories, fat, and sugar. The nutrition information provided below is for a 1-slice serving (1/10 cake) of Schnucks Traditional Gooey Butter Cake:
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 11g |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Carbohydrates | 43g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 4g |
As you can see, one slice packs over half of the recommended daily value for saturated fat and nearly a third of the recommended maximum for sodium and sugar. The calorie count is also quite high.
However, most people enjoy gooey butter cake in moderation as an occasional treat. When consumed in small servings, it can be part of an overall balanced diet. Those with dietary restrictions or health conditions should take the rich, buttery nature of this dessert into account.
Price
Gooey butter cake prices at Schnucks typically range from $6.99 to $9.99 for a whole cake. Individual slices may be purchased for $2.99 to $3.99 each. Sale prices are sometimes offered that bring these costs down further.
Compared to other grocery chains like Dierbergs and Straubs, Schnucks offers high quality gooey butter cake at very reasonable prices. Their cakes are significantly less expensive than those from a dedicated bakery.
When available, the seasonal and decorated varieties may cost a bit more. But the basic gooey butter cake provides an affordable way to enjoy a St. Louis classic.
Taste Reviews
Here are some real customer reviews on the taste and quality of Schnucks gooey butter cake:
“Schnucks gooey butter cake is delish! The ratio of cake to topping is perfect. Stays nice and moist too if you store it right.” – Jane D.
“I tried the cinnamon streusel gooey butter cake and loved the addition of the crunchy topping. A great twist on the original!” – Stan H.
“This is a pretty solid grocery store version. Not overly sweet like some. You can definitely tell it’s mass produced and not from a bakery though.” – Emily C.
“I wish it was a little thicker but overall the taste is pretty good. Hard to find one as tasty as the bakery gooey butter cakes in St. Louis.” – Michael R.
“Always moist with a nice flavor. I like that Schnucks has different options too like the chocolate chip. Good prices here and easy to grab one pre-packaged.” – Lisa V.
The consensus seems to be that Schnucks offers a reasonably priced, readily available gooey butter cake that satisfies cravings. While it may not quite live up to cakes from independent bakeries, it’s still an enjoyable option.
How to Store Gooey Butter Cake
To keep your gooey butter cake from Schnucks fresh, be sure to store it properly:
- Cover any uneaten portions tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate the cake – the low temperature will prevent the cream cheese topping from breaking down.
- Allow the cake to return to room temperature before serving for best texture.
- Consume refrigerated cake within 5-7 days for peak flavor and freshness.
- Avoid freezing gooey butter cake, as this alters the soft, creamy consistency.
- Store gooey butter cake mix in a cool, dry place and use by the expiration date.
With proper storage, you can enjoy your Schnucks gooey butter cake all week long!
Where Else to Buy Gooey Butter Cake
In addition to Schnucks, here are some other places in the St. Louis area to buy gooey butter cake:
Grocery Stores
- Dierbergs
- Straubs
- Whole Foods Market
- Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
- Fields Foods
Bakeries
- Park Avenue Coffee
- Miss Aimee B’s
- Crown Candy Kitchen
- Hank’s Cheesecakes
- The Sliced Bread Bakery
Online
Many local bakeries like Russell’s and Fritz’s also ship gooey butter cakes nationwide. The iconic St. Louis brand Gooey Louie offers online ordering of their famous cakes.
How to Make Your Own
While buying gooey butter cake from Schnucks or another retailer is easy, you can also bake this sweet treat from scratch at home. Here is a simple recipe to try:
Ingredients
- For the cake layer:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 8 tablespoons butter, softened
- For the topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Make the cake batter according to package directions. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, 1 egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Be sure to share photos of your homemade gooey butter cake on social media and tag @schnucks!
Conclusion
Gooey butter cake is a beloved staple dessert in the St. Louis area. Luckily, Schnucks sells high quality, affordable versions at many of their supermarkets to satisfy locals’ cravings. With traditional, chocolate chip, cinnamon streusel, and seasonal varieties available, they offer something for every gooey butter cake fan. Just be sure to store your cake properly and consume within a week for the best freshness and flavor. If you feel like baking from scratch, you can even make this sweet, gooey treat at home. So next time you have a hankering for gooey butter cake, you know where you can buy it or how to make it!