Apple Butter Cake

This Apple Butter Cake is perfect for fall. The snack cake is made with apple butter and warm spices and topped with a sweet vanilla bean glaze. It's easy to make and will impress everyone on any fall occasion.

Jump to:

• Apple Butter Spice Cake
• Why Make This Apple Butter Cake Recipe
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Apple Butter Cake
• Storage Recommendations
• Tips and Tricks
• FAQs
• More Apple Butter Uses
• Recipe

Apple Butter Spice Cake

There's nothing quite like the smell of apple butter simmering on the stovetop to create a warm and cozy atmosphere in your home. I used this year's first batch of apple butter to bake this delicious autumn cake. 

This snack cake is everything you want in a fall treat. It's filled with a sweet apple flavor, warm spices, and a vanilla glaze that melts into the top of the cake.

Trust me, a slice of this dessert will make you want to snuggle up with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea.

Why Make This Apple Butter Cake Recipe

• Cozy Fall Flavors: Apple butter has a rich, spiced apple flavor, which makes it the perfect base for a fall cake. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combine to create a warm, cozy taste that feels like a hug in every bite.
• Moist and Tender: The apple butter keeps this cake incredibly moist. It's tender and soft and practically melts in your mouth.
• The Vanilla Bean Glaze: Let's be honest. The glaze is what takes this cake to the next level. Poured over the warm cake, it melts slightly, creating a delicious top layer that's just irresistible.
• Easy to Make: This cake might taste like it took all day to make, but it's actually super simple. You can make a stunning dessert for any occasion with just a few simple ingredients. It’s great for family dinners and Thanksgiving tables.

Key Ingredients

This apple cake requires a short list of ingredients you probably already have! The total measurements and instructions are available in the recipe card below.

• Butter: We use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in our recipes.
• Sugar: A mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar sweetens the cake.
• Apple Butter: Use store-bought apple butter or your favorite recipe.
• All Purpose Flour: Adds structure to the rest of the ingredients. See our tutorial on measuring flour to ensure you add the right amount.
• Baking Soda: Provides the lift needed in this cake recipe.
• Spices: A combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves adds the perfect fall flavor to the cake. Apple pie spice can also be used in place of these.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds a delicious flavor and vanilla bean specks to the frosting.
• Milk: Thins the glaze down.

BruCrew Tip: Have leftover spread? Here are some of our favorite apple butter uses.

How to Make Apple Butter Cake

This apple butter snack cake comes together quickly with just one bowl and an electric mixer.

1. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and sugars. Add the apple butter and vanilla extract, then mix again.
2. Add the flour, warm spices, baking soda, and salt. Beat on low until everything is combined.
3. Spread the cake batter in a prepared pan with a rubber spatula. Place in a preheated oven and bake until golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
4. Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool slightly before adding the glaze. A warm cake allows some glaze to melt and soak into the top.

BruCrew Tip: This apple butter cake is delicious, just the way it is. But trust me, add the vanilla bean glaze. It is the perfect complement to this dense, moist cake.

Storage Recommendations

Any leftover cake must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

If you want to save this cake for later, wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. You can keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Tips and Tricks

• Use high-quality ingredients. Whether you use store-bought or homemade apple butter, make sure it's thick and flavorful. You want a dark color and rich taste.
• For best results, use room-temperature fruit butter. Set the apple butter out beforehand so it can lose the chill from the fridge.
• Don't overmix the batter. Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix until combined. Overmixing can make your cake tough instead of tender, and we're going for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Let the cake cool slightly before glazing. When you pour on the glaze, you want the cake to be warm but not hot. This way, the glaze melts a little, soaking into the top without disappearing entirely. If the cake is too hot, the glaze will slide right off.
• Use vanilla bean paste. If you can, use natural vanilla bean paste in the glaze for that extra touch of flavor. It adds a beautiful speckled look and a more intense vanilla taste that's worth it.
• Substitute other fruit butter. Try plum, peach, or pumpkin butter for a delicious twist on the recipe.

FAQs

More Apple Butter Uses

• Apple Butter Bars
• Apple Butter Coffee Cake
• Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars
• Apple Butter Waffle Donuts
• Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
• Apple Butter Bread

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*This post was first published in October 2012.  The pictures were updated in August 2017 and republished in August 2024.