If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that perfectly blends comforting warmth and indulgent sweetness, this Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine soft, spiced apples nestled inside a luscious, gooey cream cheese layer, all sandwiched between tender brown butter cake layers. Then, it’s finished with a rich, homemade salted caramel that adds just the right touch of salty contrast to the sweet, buttery decadence. This cake is a celebration of fall flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is a beautiful balance of simple, classic ingredients that each bring their own magic to the final dish. From warm spices to creamy tanginess and caramelized sweetness, every component is essential for that perfect flavor and gooey texture.
- Unsalted butter: Used twice for making the brown butter base and the caramel sauce, it adds depth and richness to the cake.
- Apples: Peeled and diced, they provide juiciness and natural sweetness with a tender bite.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice: These warm spices give the cake its classic autumn aroma and flavor complexity.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramel-like molasses notes especially to the spiced apples.
- Cream cheese: Creates the gooey, luscious layer that defines this cake.
- Eggs and egg yolks: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake’s tender crumb.
- Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and a smooth texture to the cream cheese filling.
- All-purpose flour: The cake’s structure depends on this essential ingredient.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Help the cake rise perfectly without becoming dry.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and keeps the cake moist and tender.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and the caramel sauce.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor depth.
- Heavy cream: Gives the caramel sauce its silky, rich texture.
- Sea salt: Balances the caramel with a delicate salty finish.
How to Make Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe
Step 1: Make the Brown Butter
Start by melting the unsalted butter over medium heat until it simmers and bubbles. Keep cooking it for about 5 to 6 minutes until it foams and transforms into a nutty, fragrant brown butter. This step is crucial because it adds a toasty, caramel-like flavor that elevates the entire cake. Once done, transfer the brown butter to a bowl and chill it until it firms up but remains spreadable.
Step 2: Cook the Spiced Apples
Next, toss the peeled apple pieces with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar in a pan. Cook them on medium heat for about 10 minutes until the juices thicken and the apples soften just right. This warm, spiced apple mixture is what makes the cake bursting with autumn vibes and juicy texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with one whole egg and one egg yolk until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar in two batches, mixing until just incorporated for that signature gooey, sweet filling that is so indulgent and irresistible.
Step 4: Mix the Brown Butter Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch springform pan by greasing it and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Whip the cooled brown butter on high speed until fluffy and pale. Add granulated sugar and beat until light. Then, mix in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Alternate adding your dry ingredients mixture and buttermilk, mixing on low speed to create a smooth, tender batter.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Cake
Pour half of the cake batter into the pan, spreading it evenly. Layer the spiced apples on top, then cover with the remaining batter. Gently smooth the surface and spread the cream cheese filling over the top. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the edges turn golden, and the center looks slightly jiggly but set. Cool on a rack before refrigerating to let all the flavors meld and the gooey layer set perfectly.
Step 6: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce is the grand finale! Slowly melt the granulated sugar over medium-low heat until it caramelizes to a golden amber. Stir in butter immediately, followed by heavy cream. Simmer gently until smooth and glossy, then finish by folding in sea salt and vanilla extract. Let it cool completely before drizzling over your chilled cake, adding a shiny, addictive layer of sweet and salty goodness.
How to Serve Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe
Garnishes
For a visually stunning and flavorful touch, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the caramel topping. A light dusting of powdered sugar enhances the rustic look and lightly sweetens each bite. If you want a fresh kick, a few fresh apple slices dusted with cinnamon can complement the cake’s warm spices beautifully.
Side Dishes
This gooey butter cake pairs exceptionally well with simple, elegant sides such as a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A warm cup of chai tea or cinnamon-spiced coffee makes the perfect beverage companion to this cozy, autumn-inspired dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this cake on a rustic wooden board with a small pitcher of extra salted caramel sauce on the side, so guests can drizzle to their hearts’ content. For a casual gathering, cut it into small squares and serve on decorative napkins for easy dessert bites. Alternatively, slice generous wedges and place them on vintage china plates to elevate any dinner party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping it chilled allows the gooey layers to maintain their texture without getting overly soft. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before serving again for the best flavor and consistency.
Freezing
This cake freezes well if you want to prepare it in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before enjoying; this helps the texture come back perfectly gooey and moist.
Reheating
If you prefer serving it warm, gently reheat slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or pop them in a low-temperature oven (300°F) for 10-15 minutes. Warm slices enhance the gooey cream cheese and spiced apple layers, making it even more comforting and decadent.
FAQs
Can I use different types of apples for this cake?
Absolutely! While tart varieties like Granny Smith work great to balance the sweetness, you can also try Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for a sweeter flavor. Just be sure to dice them evenly to cook uniformly.
What makes this cake gooey?
The secret to the gooey texture lies in the luscious cream cheese layer combined with the brown butter cake batter. The cream cheese mixture melts slightly during baking, creating that irresistible gooey sensation you’ll love in every bite.
Is the salted caramel difficult to make?
Making salted caramel is easier than it seems! It just requires patience to carefully melt the sugar without burning it, then swiftly adding butter and cream. Just keep an eye on it and stir gently, and you’ll have a rich, silky caramel sauce in no time.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
This recipe relies heavily on dairy for its signature texture and flavor, but you could experiment with dairy-free butter substitutes, cream cheese alternatives, and non-dairy milk. The texture might change slightly, but it’s worth a try if you’re dairy-free!
How long does it take to make the Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe?
From start to finish, including cooling and chilling time, plan for about four hours and twenty minutes. Much of this time allows the cake to set perfectly and the flavors to develop fully, which is totally worth the wait.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe is a true labor of love that brings warmth, gooeyness, and a touch of elegance to any dessert table. Whether you serve it at a cozy family gathering or impress your friends at a dinner party, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. I cannot wait for you to try it and savor every melt-in-your-mouth bite packed with spiced apples, creamy layers, and that heavenly salted caramel finish. Happy baking!
Print
Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 21 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel is a decadent layered dessert combining spiced apples, a rich cream cheese layer, and a moist brown butter spice cake base, all topped with a luscious homemade salted caramel sauce. Perfectly balanced with warm spices and a gooey texture, it offers an indulgent treat ideal for fall or any special occasion.
Ingredients
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
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
Cake Batter
- 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: Add the butter to a pot and heat over medium heat until melted and simmering. Continue simmering for 5-6 minutes until the butter foams, emits a nutty aroma, and browns. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Refrigerate until solid but malleable, like softened butter.
- Cook the Spiced Apples: In a medium pan, combine diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until juices thicken and apples soften. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, egg, and egg yolk on medium-high speed until smooth (1-2 minutes). Sift half the powdered sugar into the bowl and mix on low to medium speed until combined. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix just until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Prepare the Brown Butter Spice Cake Dry Ingredients: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix the Brown Butter Cake Batter: Whip the cooled brown butter on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add granulated sugar and continue whipping until light and fluffy, another 1-2 minutes. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and pale. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to the wet ingredients on low speed until combined and batter is smooth.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the spiced apples evenly over the batter. Pour remaining batter over the apples and smooth it out. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the center has a shiny, slightly jiggly appearance and edges turn light golden brown.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 45 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours to set.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt granulated sugar. It will crystallize initially, then fully melt and turn golden over about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low once mostly melted to prevent burning.
- Add Butter to Caramel: Stir in butter immediately and mix quickly until fully combined.
- Add Heavy Cream: Pour in heavy cream and stir quickly to combine. If separated, increase heat slightly and stir vigorously until smooth.
- Finish Caramel Sauce: Stir in sea salt and vanilla extract. Simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely before use.
- Serve the Cake: When the cake is chilled, loosen edges with a knife, remove from springform pan, and transfer to a serving plate. Pour cooled caramel sauce over the top and spread evenly. Serve best at room temperature; if chilled overnight, allow to sit out for about an hour before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is fully browned but not burnt to get a rich nutty flavor.
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth mixtures.
- Peeling the apples helps maintain a smooth texture in the spiced apple layer.
- The cake is best served at room temperature after chilling overnight.
- Adjust sea salt in caramel sauce to taste for perfect balance.
- Line the springform pan with parchment to prevent sticking when removing the cake.
