Name: Butterscotch Apple Gooey Butter Cake
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H35M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT2H45M0.000S
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/4 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (one 1/4-ounce package; see Cook's Note); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 large egg, beaten; 1/4 cup whole milk; 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 1/4 cups sugar; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup milk; 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, beaten; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup butterscotch chips; 2 green apples, skin on, 1/4-inch dice

Directions

Special equipment:

a 9-inch square cake pan

Make the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and yeast; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter, sugar and salt on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the egg and mix until just combined. Add the flour mixture, alternately with the milk, and mix on low speed until a ball of dough forms. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, 8 to 10 minutes.
Press the dough into the bottom of an ungreased 9-inch square baking dish, then cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm space until the dough is airy and puffy and rises about 1/2 inch, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Make the topping: Cream the butter, sugar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, egg yolk, maple syrup and vanilla. Add half the flour and beat on medium-low speed until incorporated. Add about half of the egg-milk mixture and mix until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Repeat mixing in the remaining flour and egg-milk mixtures.
Assembly: Scatter the butterscotch chips and then the apples on top of the dough, spreading to the edges of the pan. Dollop large spoonfuls of the topping over the apples and carefully smooth with a spatula to make an even layer of the topping.
Bake until the topping is golden brown and crispy, 35 to 40 minutes. The center should still be soft and gooey; do not overbake! Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

Cook’s Note

Rapid-rise yeast, also known as fast-acting instant yeast, unlike active dry yeast, does not need to be activated by dissolving in warm water before being added to the flour mixture.