Apple Gooey Butter Cake
A delightful dessert that combines a rich buttery cake with a gooey cream cheese layer and tart apples, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cake Base
- 1 box yellow cake mix Gluten-free option available
- ½ cup melted butter Unsalted preferred
- 1 large egg Room temperature
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened Must be softened to mix smoothly
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar Sifted for easier mixing
- 2 large eggs Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pure vanilla recommended
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups chopped apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all ingredients and ensure they are at room temperature, especially the cream cheese.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Making the Cake Base
- In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter. Mix until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the cream cheese, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating continuously until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Baking the Cake
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake base in the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
Cooling
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.