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Apple Gooey Butter Cake with Cinnamon Apples Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 103 reviews

Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a decadent dessert featuring a soft yellow cake crust topped with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese layer and tender cinnamon-spiced apples. This bar-style cake is baked until the edges are firm and the center remains slightly gooey, offering a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for autumn or anytime you want a comforting, fruity treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple Topping

  • 2 cups apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt (a pinch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Crust Dough: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft dough forms, which will serve as the crust.
  3. Press the Crust: Evenly press the soft dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create a uniform crust layer.
  4. Beat Cream Cheese: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy to avoid lumps in the filling.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add 2 eggs and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, then beat again until the mixture is fluffy for a light, airy texture.
  6. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Slowly add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, continuing to mix until fully combined and smooth.
  7. Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Pour and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan.
  8. Cook the Apples: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for 5–7 minutes until the apples are slightly softened and fragrant.
  9. Add Apple Topping: Spoon the warm apple mixture over the cream cheese layer, distributing evenly.
  10. Bake: Bake the assembled cake for 40–45 minutes until the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly to maintain gooeyness.
  11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan to allow it to set properly before slicing.
  12. Serve and Store: Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. Store any leftovers refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best balance of tartness and sweetness.
  • Allow the cake to cool fully to avoid crumbling when slicing.
  • For extra gooeyness, slightly underbake by reducing oven time by 3–5 minutes if desired.
  • Room temperature cream cheese beats smoother and mixes more easily.
  • This cake stores well in the refrigerator and can be gently warmed before serving.

Keywords: Apple Gooey Butter Cake, Cream Cheese Cake, Autumn Dessert, Yellow Cake Mix, Cinnamon Apples, Gooey Butter Cake

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/apple-gooey-butter-cake-with-cinnamon-apples-recipe/