This Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a delicious mashup of a cinnamon apple cake and creamy caramel cheesecake. The moist, tender apple cake layer is topped with a rich, creamy caramel cream cheese layer, creating an indulgent dessert that’s perfect for fall. With a golden crackly top and gooey, caramel goodness in every bite, this cake will impress your guests while being surprisingly simple to make.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Apple Cake Layer:

• 1 lb (about 5 apples) thinly sliced apples (combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended)

• 10 tbsp salted butter, divided

• 1/8 tsp allspice

• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (130g) granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 1/3 cups (150g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Caramel Cream Cheese Layer:

• 8 oz (1 block) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

• 3 cups (350g) powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting

• 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Directions

1. Prepare the Apples: Core and slice the apples into 1/8-inch thick slices. Toss them with 2 tbsp of sugar and the juice of half a lemon. Refrigerate for 1 hour, then drain the excess liquid.

2. Cook the Apples: In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Add the brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves, whisking until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the apples and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender. Let the apples cool for 10 minutes.

3. Make the Cake Layer: Melt the remaining 8 tbsp of butter and whisk with granulated sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla, then whisk until smooth. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Gently fold in the cooked apples.

4. Prepare the Caramel Cream Cheese Layer: Using a hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg and mix until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing for 2 minutes until smooth. Stir in the caramel sauce.

5. Assemble the Cake: Pour the cake batter into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Spread the caramel cream cheese layer over the top, smoothing it evenly.

6. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. The cake will have a crackly golden skin, but the center will still be wobbly. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the cream cheese layer to set.

7. Serve: Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and slice into 8 pieces.

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 747 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 73 g

• Protein: 22 g

• Fat: 29 g

  • Saturated Fat: 6 g

• Cholesterol: 140 mg

• Sodium: 1959 mg

• Potassium: 935 mg

• Fiber: 4 g

• Sugar: 4 g

This Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a showstopper with its rich, indulgent layers of cinnamon apple cake and creamy caramel cheesecake. Perfect for fall gatherings or a special treat anytime!

Why This Cake Works

What makes this Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake so irresistible is the way it brings together the best elements of two beloved desserts: a cinnamon apple cake and a caramel cheesecake. The apple cake layer is full of warm spices, tender apples, and the right amount of sweetness, while the caramel cream cheese layer is rich, smooth, and creamy with a burst of caramel flavor that melts perfectly in your mouth. This cake provides the perfect balance of textures — from the soft, gooey center to the slightly crisp golden top — making every bite a true indulgence.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

• Apples: A combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples is ideal for this recipe. Granny Smith apples offer a tart contrast to the sweetness of the Honeycrisp apples, providing a perfect balance of flavor. The apples are sliced thinly, cooked with spices, and folded into the cake batter, adding moistness, texture, and a burst of flavor.

• Butter: Butter plays a crucial role in adding richness to both the cake and cream cheese layers. It helps make the apple cake layer tender and ensures the caramel cream cheese layer is rich and smooth.

• Cinnamon, Cloves, and Allspice: These warming spices give the cake a comforting fall flavor. The blend of cinnamon, allspice, and cloves brings out the natural sweetness of the apples and complements the caramel cream cheese layer.

• Sugar: Both granulated sugar and brown sugar are used in this recipe, with brown sugar contributing a deep, molasses-like flavor to the apples and the cake, while granulated sugar is used in the cake batter for sweetness.

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is the base of the creamy caramel layer. It adds richness and tanginess, balancing out the sweetness from the caramel and sugar.

• Caramel Sauce: The caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) gives the cream cheese layer its rich flavor and makes the cake extra indulgent. The caramel flavor adds a depth of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon apples.

How to Make Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake

Making this Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake is a straightforward process with a few key steps that come together beautifully:

1. Prepare the Apples

• Start by coring and slicing the apples into thin slices, about 1/8-inch thick.

• Toss the apples with 2 tablespoons of sugar and the juice of half a lemon to prevent browning. Refrigerate the apples for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

• After 1 hour, drain any excess liquid from the apples before cooking them.

2. Cook the Apples

• In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, whisking until the sugar is dissolved.

• Add the apples to the skillet and cook for about 8–10 minutes until the apples are tender. Set them aside to cool for 10 minutes.

3. Make the Cake Layer

• Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter and whisk it together with granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl.

• Add eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.

• Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.

• Gently fold in the cooked apples, ensuring that the mixture is evenly distributed.

4. Prepare the Caramel Cream Cheese Layer

• Using a hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth.

• Add 1 egg and mix until well combined.

• Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing for 2 minutes until smooth.

• Stir in caramel sauce until the mixture is creamy and well combined.

5. Assemble the Cake

• Grease a 9-inch springform pan and pour the prepared cake batter into it. Smooth it out evenly.

• Spread the caramel cream cheese mixture over the top of the cake batter, smoothing it out into an even layer.

6. Bake the Cake

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cake for 45 minutes.

• The cake will have a crackly, golden top, but the center should still be slightly wobbly. This ensures the gooey cream cheese layer remains soft and decadent.

7. Cool and Set

• Allow the cake to cool for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.

• Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to allow the cream cheese layer to set properly.

8. Serve

• Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

• Slice the cake into 8 pieces and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake contains approximately:

• Calories: 747 kcal. This is a rich dessert, making it ideal for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself.

• Protein: 22 grams. The eggs and cream cheese provide a solid protein boost.

• Fat: 29 grams, including 6 grams of saturated fat. The butter, cream cheese, and caramel contribute to the richness and indulgence of the cake.

• Carbohydrates: 73 grams. The sugar and flour in the cake batter and the caramel cream cheese layer contribute to the carbohydrate count.

• Fiber: 4 grams. The apples provide some fiber, helping with digestion and adding texture to the cake.

• Sugar: 4 grams. The sugars come naturally from the apples, caramel, and sugar added to the recipe, balancing the overall sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

• With Ice Cream: Serve a warm slice of this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

• Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream on top will enhance the creamy texture and add a light, airy contrast to the richness of the cake.

• Coffee or Tea: This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea, making it an excellent choice for fall gatherings or after a hearty meal.

Conclusion

The Caramel Apple Gooey Butter Cake is the ultimate fall dessert, combining tender cinnamon-spiced apples with a rich caramel cream cheese layer. The cake is indulgent and flavorful, with a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Perfect for special occasions, family gatherings, or even just when you want to treat yourself, this cake is sure to impress with its layers of flavor and simple preparation. Enjoy this delicious mashup of apple cake and caramel cheesecake, and let it become your go-to dessert for the season!