Missouri: gooey butter cake

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There are several theories as to how gooey butter cake (which is traditionally made in St Louis) was invented – but most of them seem to point in the direction of a baker who made a mistake by reversing the proportions of butter and flour when attempting to make a regular cake batter. The result? A flat and dense cake with a super-sweet cream cheese layer on top. Sticky, chewy, and velvety, butter cake is usually served with coffee, and it's beloved in Missouri.