Very few business owners can say that when people walk into their shop, it’s like walking into a butterstick. However, Debbie Stieferman, the owner of Gooey Louie Gooey Butter Cakes in Creve Coeur feels just that way. The shop is almost completely yellow on the inside, and has been specializing in making different types of gooey butter cakes using Stieferman’s family recipe since 2006.

“I just like to say it’s like five minutes of happy,” Stieferman said. “People come in, it’s a happy time, they get their cake, and they’re set.The big thing is just trying to make it like a little bright spot in somebody’s day.”

Even though the shop is somewhat small, it has a variety of cakes to choose from that can be sold in individual portions such as chocolate chip or caramel snickerdoodle. But the best seller has always been the original gooey butter cake. They also sell seasonal gooey butter cakes such as white chocolate peppermint near Christmas.

“We have different packaging for every holiday,” Stieferman said. “So, if you go to the website you can find Christmas, Thanksgiving, just about any holiday or special occasion.”

Over the years it has been open, the shop has been recognized to have the best gooey butter cake in St. Louis from many different magazines and organizations. It has been featured on the Food Network, Taste of Home magazine, and even on the Today Show.

“It’s the best gooey butter, and you can really only get real gooey butter in St. Louis,” baker Christina Capstick said. “And I think ours is the best.”

Organizations and magazines are not the only ones who love this shop, so do the many customers who spread the word of the business. Some have even made it part of their family’s traditions, or come from out of town just to have some.

“I think St. Louisans love to spread the love of St. Louis,” Stieferman said. “And what better way than gooey butter cake?”