Description
Indulge in a decadent Apple Gooey Butter Cake topped with warm salted caramel sauce. This dessert combines spiced apples and a rich cream cheese layer atop a tender brown butter spice cake, finished with a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall or any special occasion, this cake offers a delightful balance of sweet, spiced, and buttery flavors in every bite.
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
- Make the Brown Butter: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Spiced Apples: In a bowl, toss the diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar until evenly coated. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Make the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, beating well to combine. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Set aside.
- Prepare Brown Butter Spice Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger bowl, mix the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined. Beat in the buttermilk, egg, and egg yolk until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Assemble the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Pour the brown butter spice cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Scatter the spiced apples over the batter. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the apples.
- Bake the Cake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the cream cheese layer is set and the edges of the cake are golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding apples and cream cheese topping) should come out clean.
- Prepare Salted Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it turns into an amber-colored liquid without burning. Remove from heat and immediately stir in butter until melted and combined. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously. Stir in sea salt and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
- Serve: Allow the cake to cool before cutting into squares. Drizzle generously with the warm salted caramel sauce just before serving for an extra indulgent touch.
Notes
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter and cream cheese layer.
- The brown butter adds a deep nutty flavor, but be careful not to burn it.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- The salted caramel sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; gently reheat before serving.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: gooey butter cake, apple cake, salted caramel, fall dessert, cream cheese, brown butter, spiced cake, homemade caramel sauce