Cooking in a real kitchen is messy, and that’s part of the joy. Let’s get into how you can bring this Gooey Butter Pecan Cake to life:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Gradually add in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Spread this batter into the prepared pan, pressing it down evenly.
6. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until smooth.
7. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the batter in the pan, spreading it evenly.
8. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly set.
10. Allow to cool before slicing into squares. Serve with love!

Pro tip from my kitchen: Don’t worry if the center seems a bit gooey when you pull it out. It will set as it cools, maintaining that luscious, buttery texture.