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Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 51 reviews

This Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel is a irresistibly decadent dessert combining tender spiced apples, a rich cream cheese layer, and a moist brown butter spice cake, all topped with a luscious homemade salted caramel sauce. Perfect for cozy gatherings or special occasions, its complex flavors and gooey texture create a delightful treat that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

Brown Butter

  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter

Spiced Apples

  • 2 cups (268 g) apples, peeled and diced into ½ inch pieces (about 2 apples)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground allspice
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) brown sugar

Gooey Cream Cheese Layer

  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups (325 g) powdered sugar

Brown Butter Spice Cake

  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (141 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground allspice
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Brown butter from above
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
  • 5 tbsp (70 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp sea salt, depending on preference
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Make Brown Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams and turns a light brown color with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare Spiced Apples: In a bowl, toss the peeled and diced apples with 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp allspice, and 2 tbsp brown sugar until evenly coated. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  3. Make Gooey Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the 8 oz cream cheese until smooth. Add 1 egg and 1 egg yolk, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating until fully incorporated and creamy. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Brown Butter Spice Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp allspice, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 1/8 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. In another large bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Add 1 egg and 1 egg yolk, mixing well. Alternately add the dry ingredients with 1/2 cup buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. Assemble the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the brown butter spice cake batter evenly in the pan. Distribute the spiced apples evenly over the batter. Carefully spread the gooey cream cheese layer over the apples, smoothing the top.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cream cheese layer is set and the edges of the cake are golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the cake layer should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Make Salted Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup granulated sugar, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once sugar is fully melted to a deep amber color, remove from heat and stir in 5 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and combined. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream; mixture will bubble vigorously. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4–1/2 tsp sea salt to taste. Let caramel cool slightly.
  8. Serve: Drizzle the homemade salted caramel sauce over warm slices of the apple gooey butter cake. Enjoy immediately or let cool completely for denser texture. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain shape during baking.
  • Make sure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor—do not rush this step.
  • You can adjust the sea salt in the caramel to suit your sweetness preference.
  • Store the cake covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Keywords: apple cake, gooey butter cake, salted caramel, brown butter, spiced apples, cream cheese layer, fall dessert

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/apple-gooey-butter-cake-with-salted-caramel-recipe/