Description
This Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Salted Caramel is a luscious, multi-layered dessert featuring spiced, tender apples on top of a brown butter spice cake base, topped with a rich, creamy cream cheese layer and finished with a homemade salted caramel sauce. The cake combines warm autumnal flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with the irresistible gooey texture and a hint of salted caramel for an indulgent treat perfect for cozy gatherings or special occasions.
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
- Prepare the Brown Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook, stirring frequently, until it browns and develops a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Cook the Spiced Apples: In a skillet, combine diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender but still hold their shape, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Make the Gooey Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, beating until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until fully integrated and smooth. Set aside.
- Mix the Brown Butter Spice Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing after each addition. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Assemble the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Spread the spice cake batter evenly into the pan. Layer the cooked spiced apples evenly over the batter. Pour the cream cheese layer on top, smoothing it out evenly.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the cream cheese layer is set and the edges are lightly golden. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber color. Carefully add the butter and whisk until melted and combined. Slowly add the heavy cream while whisking continuously until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
- Serve: Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle generous amounts of the salted caramel sauce over each slice before serving. Enjoy the gooey, spiced, and caramel-infused flavors!
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best mixing results and texture.
- Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning; it should smell nutty and look golden brown.
- Adjust the amount of sea salt in the caramel sauce to your taste preference for sweetness vs saltiness.
- This cake is best served at room temperature but can also be refrigerated and brought back to room temp before serving.
- For easier slicing, chill the cake for an hour before cutting.
Keywords: apple cake, gooey butter cake, salted caramel, brown butter, spiced cake, cream cheese layer, autumn dessert