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Apple Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 81 reviews

Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a luscious, rich dessert featuring a buttery yellow cake crust topped with a smooth cream cheese layer and warm, cinnamon-spiced sautéed apples. This crowd-pleasing treat combines soft textures and sweet-tart flavors, perfect for fall or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

Cream Cheese Layer:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple Topping:

  • 2 cups apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Make Crust Dough: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Form Crust: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create a consistent crust layer.
  4. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
  6. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
  7. Assemble Layers: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust, spreading it evenly for uniform coverage.
  8. Sauté Apples: In a skillet over medium heat, combine diced apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the apples soften slightly and the mixture is fragrant.
  9. Add Apple Topping: Spoon the warm apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  10. Bake: Bake the assembled cake for 40–45 minutes until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly when nudged.
  11. Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
  12. Serve and Store: Serve warm or at room temperature. Store any leftovers refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • For best flavor and texture, use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet-tart Honeycrisp.
  • Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the batter.
  • Don’t overbake; the center should be slightly jiggly to maintain gooeyness.
  • If desired, dust the cooled cake with additional powdered sugar before serving.
  • This cake can be served warm or chilled based on preference.

Keywords: Apple Gooey Butter Cake, buttery cake, cream cheese dessert, cinnamon apples, fall dessert recipe, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/apple-gooey-butter-cake-recipe/