Description
This Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a rich, creamy dessert with a buttery cake base, sweet apple topping, and a soft cheesecake-like center that melts in every bite. It is an easy recipe that works beautifully for holiday dessert tables, cozy fall baking, quick dessert ideas, sweet brunch treats, and simple food ideas when you want something warm, comforting, and impressive without much effort.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can apple pie filling, about 21 ounces
1 apple, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a thick dough forms.
3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to make the crust.
4. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
5. Add the remaining 2 eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, then beat until creamy and fully combined.
6. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread it gently into an even layer.
7. Stir the diced apple into the apple pie filling, then spoon the mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
8. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped pecans if using.
9. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set with a slight jiggle.
10. Cool completely, then chill for at least 1 to 2 hours before slicing for the best texture.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for the smoothest filling.
Do not overbake or the center will lose its gooey texture.
Chilling the cake before slicing gives cleaner squares and better layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg