German Butter Cake

Ingredients

Base
1/2 cup warm milk (120 – 130°F)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (1/4 oz) packet instant (Rapid Rise) yeast
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour*
Topping
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2/3 cup all purpose flour*
1/4 cup milk
Optional Dixie Crystals Confectioners Powdered Sugar

*Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup with flour until required amount is obtained. Scooping measuring cup directly into flour bag will firmly pack flour resulting in too much flour required for recipe.

Directions

Base:

In a small bowl, stir together milk, vanilla, and yeast, until yeast has dissolved. Set aside.
In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix butter, sugar, and salt together for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add egg and mix for an additional minute, scraping sides of the bowl as necessary.
Turn mixer to low speed and add flour, mixing until combined.
Pour in yeast mixture and mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
Replace the paddle attachment with a dough hook and turn mixer to medium speed. Mix for 3 minutes. Alternately, knead dough by hand on a lightly floured surface if you don’t have a hook attachment.
Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean dishtowel and allow dough to rise in a warm place, until doubled in size, approximately 30 minutes.

Topping

Line a 9x13-inch pan with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick spray. Set aside.
In a clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix butter and sugar together for 2 minutes until combined. Add vanilla and eggs and mix for another minute, scraping sides of the bowl as necessary.
Turn mixer to low and add flour and milk and mix until combined and smooth.

Assembly:

When dough is risen, spread it out to all four edges of the prepared pan. Press dough up sides of the pan.
Spread topping mixture onto dough. Cover with a clean dishtowel and allow to sit for 20 more minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until top is golden but not quite set.
Allow cake to cool completely before cutting into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Dixie Crystals Insight

Recipe developed for Dixie Crystals by Shelly Jaronsky @CookiesandCups

Rate & Review

Toast

Aug 04, 2022

I followed the instructions to a t up until when I baked it for 30 minutes and took it out only for it to be COMPLETELY raw, but the lid, yes the lid, because if you could picture a creme brulee cake this would be how you would imagine it, a solid hard, but crackable lid. The lid anyway, was golden brown, but not even the dough base was cooked, so I popped it in the oven for an extra 15 minutes and it was good, the top underneath the lid was still not quite set, but no longer completely raw. Aside from the extended baking time, the only other comments I have are: for one this is a Philidelphia-style German Buttercake, and secondly, the topping was far too sweet and not buttery enough. It's not bad, its fine, my family enjoyed it regardless, I just find it too sweet.