Amazing Apple Butter Cake: 15 Min Prep

Name: Amazing Apple Butter Cake: 15 Min Prep
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Cake:; 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 2 cups sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 cup apple butter; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; For the Frosting:; 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 3 tablespoons apple butter; 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)

by Jannet Lisa

7 de October de 2025

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Apple Butter Cake has been a staple in my kitchen, especially when the leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp. I remember my grandmother making this cake every autumn; the smell of cinnamon and warm apples would fill her whole house, making it feel so cozy. It’s truly an easy apple butter cake to whip up, perfect for those busy weeknights when you still want a homemade treat. If you’ve ever wondered how to make apple butter cake that’s incredibly moist and flavorful, you’re in the right place. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Butter Cake

Get ready to fall in love with this wonderful cake. It’s packed with flavor and so easy to make!

Incredible Taste: The deep, spiced flavor of apple butter creates a truly unique and comforting taste experience.
Quick Prep Time: You can have this cake mixed and ready for the oven in just 15 minutes.
Budget-Friendly: Uses common pantry staples, making it an affordable treat.

Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike adore this sweet, spiced flavor. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Wonderfully Moist: You’ll achieve a perfectly moist apple butter cake thanks to the rich apple butter and tender crumb.
Versatile Dessert: It’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or just a simple weeknight treat that feels special.

Simply Delicious: Enjoy a truly moist apple butter cake that’s far better than anything store-bought.

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Butter Cake

This apple butter cake recipe is straightforward, and the ingredients come together easily. Here’s what you’ll need for a truly delicious cake:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature – For richness and a tender crumb.

2 cups sugar – Balances the tartness of the apple butter and adds sweetness.
4 large eggs, room temperature – Helps bind the cake and adds moisture and structure.
2 cups all-purpose flour – The base for our cake’s structure.

1/2 teaspoon salt – Enhances all the other flavors.
2 teaspoons baking powder – Our leavening agent for a nice lift.
1/2 cup apple butter – This is the star! It brings moisture, sweetness, and that wonderful spiced apple flavor.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors beautifully.
For the Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature – Creates a creamy, tangy frosting base.

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature – Adds smoothness and richness to the frosting.
3 tablespoons apple butter – Infuses the frosting with more apple goodness.
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups) – Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfection.

How to Make Apple Butter Cake

Step 1: Let’s get this deliciousness started! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans, and give them a good greasing and flouring so our cake doesn’t stick.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature and 2 cups sugar. Beat them until they’re light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step is key for a tender cake!
Step 3: Add your 4 large eggs, room temperature one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. You want them fully incorporated before moving on.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons baking powder. This dry mix ensures everything is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Now, let’s combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture, alternating with the 1/2 cup apple butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix!
Step 6: Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan(s). Use a spatula to smooth the top evenly, ensuring a nice, flat surface for the frosting later. This is where the magic starts to happen for our easy apple butter cake.

Amazing Apple Butter Cake: 15 Min Prep - Apple Butter Cake - additional detail

Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma filling your kitchen should be absolutely divine!
Step 8: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up slightly. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here before we add that amazing frosting.

Step 9: While the cake cools, let’s whip up the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature and 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature until they’re perfectly smooth and creamy.
Step 10: Stir in 3 tablespoons apple butter until it’s well incorporated. This adds another wonderful layer of apple flavor.
Step 11: Gradually add the 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. You might need to adjust the amount slightly to reach your desired consistency.

Step 12: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the decadent frosting evenly over the top. Now you have a beautiful, ready-to-serve apple butter cake with frosting! Enjoy every bite of this simple yet spectacular dessert.

Pro Tips for the Best Apple Butter Cake

I’ve made this cake more times than I can count, and these little tricks always ensure it turns out perfectly. They help guarantee a tender crumb and amazing flavor every single time.

Always use good quality apple butter; the flavor really shines through.

Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added – this is crucial for a tender cake.
Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese for the frosting are truly at room temperature.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting; otherwise, the frosting will melt right off!

What’s the secret to perfect apple butter cake?

The key is using high-quality apple butter and not overmixing the batter. This combination ensures a wonderfully moist apple butter cake with a deep, spiced flavor that just tastes like autumn.

Can I make apple butter cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it, unfrosted, in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost it just before serving for the best texture.

How do I avoid common mistakes with apple butter cake?

To prevent a dry cake, measure your flour correctly and avoid overbaking. If your cake turns out dry, it’s often because it was baked too long or too hot, which is why the toothpick test is so important. For more baking tips, check out these latest recipes.

Best Ways to Serve Apple Butter Cake

This delightful cake is wonderful on its own, but I love dressing it up a bit! For a truly special treat, serve a warm slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It’s also fantastic alongside a steaming mug of spiced apple cider, making it one of my favorite fall apple dessert recipes. You could even drizzle a little extra caramel sauce over the top for an extra touch of decadence. It’s a simple yet elegant dessert that always feels like a warm hug.

Nutrition Facts for Apple Butter Cake

This recipe makes a wonderfully rich and satisfying cake. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate nutritional information per serving (based on 12 servings):

Calories: 320 kcal

Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: N/A
Protein: 4g

Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: N/A
Sugar: 32g

Sodium: N/A

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Homemade Apple Butter Cake

This delicious cake is perfect for making ahead, which is great for busy schedules or holiday baking. Once your homemade apple butter cake has completely cooled on the wire rack, it’s ready for storage. For short-term storage, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to store it longer, a refrigerator will keep your cake fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure it’s well-covered to prevent it from drying out.

For longer storage, this cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn. Frozen cake slices can be kept for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply unwrap a slice and let it thaw at room temperature for about an hour, or gently warm it in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes until just warmed through. Enjoy your perfectly preserved slice of autumn!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Butter Cake

What is apple butter cake?

Apple butter cake is a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake that gets its distinctive taste and texture from apple butter. Unlike cakes that use fresh apples or applesauce, apple butter is a concentrated form of apples, cooked down for a long time until it’s thick, smooth, and intensely flavored. This results in a cake with a deep, spiced apple essence that’s perfect for autumn gatherings. For more information on apple butter, you can check out this Wikipedia article.

Can I use applesauce instead of apple butter in this recipe?

While this recipe is designed for apple butter, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce if you don’t have any on hand. However, be aware that applesauce is less concentrated, so the flavor won’t be as intense, and the cake might be a bit less dense. You might want to add a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg to compensate for the flavor difference. This adaptation means it won’t technically be an apple butter cake without applesauce, but rather an applesauce cake.

Why is my apple butter cake dry?

A dry apple butter cake is usually a sign of overbaking or incorrect ingredient measurements. Always use a toothpick to check for doneness – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. Also, ensure you’re measuring your flour accurately; too much flour can lead to a dry cake. Using room temperature ingredients and not overmixing the batter also contribute significantly to a moist texture. If you’re looking for more baking tips, consider exploring blueberry blondies for inspiration.

Variations of Apple Butter Cake You Can Try

This simple apple butter cake is a fantastic base for so many delicious variations! If you love a deeply flavored, spiced dessert, you’ll adore these ideas that build on the original recipe.

Spiced Apple Butter Cake: For an extra warmth and depth of flavor, simply add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the dry ingredients when you mix them. This turns our already delicious cake into a truly festive spiced apple butter cake, perfect for cozy evenings.

Apple Butter Loaf Cake: Want a more portable treat or something to slice for tea time? Adapt this recipe into an apple butter loaf cake by baking it in a standard loaf pan (around 9×5 inches) at the same temperature. Baking time will likely be a bit longer, so keep checking with a toothpick around the 45-55 minute mark.
Gluten-Free Apple Butter Cake: Easily make this cake gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a good quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
Bundt Cake Variation: For a show-stopping presentation, bake this batter in a well-greased and floured Bundt pan. The intricate shape will look stunning once frosted or dusted with powdered sugar.

Amazing Apple Butter Cake: 15 Min Prep - Apple Butter Cake - main visual representation