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.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix well.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and light corn syrup until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 8

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.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares.

Step 11

Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the rich, gooey, buttery indulgence of this traditional treat!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1403.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5076.0

Total Fat 231.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 143.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 814.9mg	0%
Sodium 2600.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 704.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.8g	0%
Total Sugars 374.0g
Protein 63.4g	0%

Vitamin D 283.0IU	0%
Calcium 477.0mg	0%
Iron 20.8mg	0%
Potassium 1104.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.4%

Protein: 4.9%

Carbs: 54.7%