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Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 147 reviews

This Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel is a decadent dessert that combines tender spiced apples, a rich brown butter spice cake, and a luscious cream cheese layer, all topped with a smooth homemade salted caramel sauce. Perfect for autumn or any time you crave a rich, comforting treat with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors.

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. Prepare Brown Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and cook, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Cook Spiced Apples: In a skillet, combine diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until apples are soft but still hold their shape, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
  3. Make Gooey Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, beating until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Brown Butter Spice Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well blended. Add the buttermilk, then eggs and egg yolk, mixing after each addition. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  5. Assemble Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking pan. Spread half of the spice cake batter evenly in the pan. Spoon the spiced apples evenly over the batter. Pour the cream cheese layer on top of the apples, spreading gently. Finally, top with the remaining spice cake batter, smoothing the surface.
  6. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  7. Make Salted Caramel Sauce: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt granulated sugar, swirling gently but not stirring, until it turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in butter until melted. Slowly add the heavy cream while whisking continuously. Stir in sea salt and vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature.
  8. Serve: Cut the cooled cake into squares and drizzle generously with the homemade salted caramel sauce. Serve at room temperature and enjoy the gooey, spiced, caramel-infused delight.

Notes

  • Peel and dice apples uniformly for even cooking and texture.
  • Make sure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature to avoid curdling and ensure smooth batter.
  • Brown butter can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge; warm slightly before using.
  • Adjust the amount of sea salt in the caramel sauce to your taste preference for a perfect salted caramel balance.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before adding caramel to avoid the sauce melting and soaking into the cake excessively.
  • Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; warm slightly before serving.

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

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