Gooey Philadelphia German Butter Cake (Butterkuchen)

Step 1

Mix sugar, shortening, and salt in a bowl.

Step 2

Add egg, and beat together for 1 minute.

Step 3

Dissolve yeast in warm milk.

Step 4

To egg/sugar mixture, add flour, then yeast mixture and vanilla, beating about 3 minutes (with dough hook or by hand).

Step 5

Turn dough onto lightly floured board and knead 1 minute.

Step 6

Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place to rise 1 hour or until double.

Step 7

Make Topping: Cream butter in a mixer.

Step 8

Mix together flour and sugar; gradually beat into butter.

Step 9

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 10

Add vanilla.

Step 11

Gradually add just enough milk to bring mixture to an easy spreading consistency, being careful not to make it too runny. Set aside until dough is doubled and ready for use.

Step 12

When dough is doubled, punch it down and divide in two sections.

Step 13

Roll or pat halves into bottom of two well-greased 8' square pans (or a 13x9 pan).

Step 14

Crimp edges halfway up sides to hold topping. Prick dough with a fork to reduce bubbling.

Step 15

Spread topping evenly over dough. Let stand 20 minutes. Heat oven to 375°F.

Step 16

Bake 30 minutes for 13x9 or 20 minutes for 8x8 or until top is just golden and crusty, but still gooey.

Step 17

DO NOT OVERBAKE!