Gooey Butter Apple Cake Recipe 🍏🍰

Overview:

This Gooey Butter Apple Cake is the perfect dessert for fall gatherings or any time you’re craving a delightful treat that beautifully combines the flavors of apples, cream cheese, and warm spices. With its gooey top layer and thick cake-like bottom, it’s a unique twist on traditional apple desserts, sure to become a favorite among family and friends.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 18
Calories per Serving: 363.6
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (based on 1 review)

Ingredients:

3 granny smith apples
1 lemon (for juice)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and divided
3 eggs
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare a 9″ x 13″ baking pan by leaving it ungreased.

2. Prepare Apples:

Peel and slice the granny smith apples.
Toss the sliced apples in a bowl with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.

3. Prepare Cake Base:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 stick of melted butter, and 1 egg.
Blend the ingredients on low to medium speed for about 2 minutes until a dough forms.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
Press the cake batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Bake the cake base in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to partially cook it and firm it up.

4. Prepare Gooey Cream Cheese Layer:

Using the same mixing bowl used for the cake batter, blend the softened cream cheese until fluffy, about 30 seconds.
Add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and the other stick of melted butter to the cream cheese.
Beat the mixture on medium speed for 1 minute.
Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to the mixture while continuing to beat for another minute until smooth and creamy.
Gently fold in the sliced apples until evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture.

5. Assemble and Bake:

Once the cake base has baked for 10 minutes, remove it from the oven.
Carefully spread the prepared cream cheese and apple mixture over the partially baked cake base, ensuring an even distribution.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top layer is slightly browned and has a gooey consistency resembling meringue.
Due to the nature of the cream cheese mixture, a toothpick test won’t work for doneness. The cake should be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center when done.

6. Cool and Serve:

Allow the Gooey Butter Apple Cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Serve slices warm or at room temperature.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for future indulgence.

Enjoy Your Gooey Delight!

This irresistible Gooey Butter Apple Cake is a delightful combination of sweet apples, creamy cheese, and comforting spices, making it a perfect dessert for autumn gatherings, potlucks, or simply treating yourself to a cozy homemade treat. Serve it up and watch it disappear before your eyes! 🍂🍎