Gooey Philadelphia German Butter Cake Butterkuchen
Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with this Gooey Philadelphia German Butter Cake, also known as Butterkuchen! This decadent treat combines a soft, pillowy yeast dough with a luscious, buttery topping for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The cake is made from simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, warm milk, and creamy butter, but it’s the gooey topping—featuring powdered sugar, heavy cream, and a touch of vanilla—that truly elevates it. Baked to golden perfection, this dessert strikes the perfect balance between crispy edges and a gooey center. Ideal for brunch, dessert, or coffee breaks, this traditional confection is a sweet nod to German baking heritage with a unique Philadelphia twist. Serve it slightly warm for a crowd-pleasing classic that’s simply irresistible.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.25 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 packet Active dry yeast
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 0.5 cups Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 piece Egg (large)
- 0.5 cups Unsalted butter (softened, for topping)
- 2 cups Confectioner’s sugar (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for topping)
- 0.25 cups Heavy cream (for topping)
- 0.25 cups Light corn syrup (for topping)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk until warm (about 110°F). Remove from heat and sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Stir lightly and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix well.
Add the egg and softened butter to the mixture. Slowly pour the warm milk and yeast mixture into the bowl. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook or your hands, knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Punch down the risen dough and press it evenly into the prepared pan. Cover again and let it rise for another 30 minutes while you prepare the topping.
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and light corn syrup until smooth and creamy.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Gently spread the gooey butter topping evenly over the risen dough using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Push some of the mixture lightly into the dough to create small pools of gooey filling.
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center is still soft and gooey. Be careful not to overbake to maintain the desired texture.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the rich, gooey, buttery indulgence of this traditional treat!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5076 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 231.7 g | 297% | |
| Saturated Fat | 143.1 g | 715% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 815 mg | 272% | |
| Sodium | 2600 mg | 113% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 704.8 g | 256% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.8 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 374.0 g | ||
| Protein | 63.4 g | 127% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.1 mcg | 35% | |
| Calcium | 477 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 20.8 mg | 116% | |
| Potassium | 1104 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
