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
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.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and sugars. Add the apple butter and vanilla extract, then mix again.
- Add the flour, warm spices, baking soda, and salt. Beat on low until everything is combined.
- 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.
- 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
Applesauce and apple butter are made by slow-cooking fresh apples with water, spices, and sugar. The difference is that apple butter is cooked much longer until it becomes a thick, caramelized spread with a rich flavor.
Yes! This snack cake remains moist for days, so it's best to prepare it a day or two in advance and store it tightly covered in the fridge.
Apple butter is thicker and more concentrated than applesauce. Using applesauce in this recipe will change the texture and flavor of the cake, so I don't recommend it.
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a great addition for extra crunch and flavor. Just fold them into the batter before pouring it into the pan.
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
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.
Recipe
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.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups apple butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon table salt
For the Glaze
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix the melted butter and sugars. Add the apple butter and vanilla and stir together.
- Stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the apple butter mixture until thoroughly combined. Spoon into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a knife or skewer inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat the frosting ingredients until creamy. Spread the glaze on top of the warm cake. Let the cake cool before serving.
Notes
- 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.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 272Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in October 2012. The pictures were updated in August 2017 and republished in August 2024.
Debbiedo
I just made this cake omg so delish did exactly as told I made homemade apple butter fee days ago so it was perfect timing to do this ty so much
Ashley
This is delicious!! Made it into a Bundt cake - took about 45 mins, had to cover the top with foil to avoid extra browning while the inside finished baking but it is soooo good!!! Will definitely make again 🙂
Jodi Fortner
Help! How do you think this would be baked as a bundt cake? Not sure if it's dense enough, I don't want it light or airy.
I want to do a bundt for Thanksgiving, and seeing that it's already Tuesday morning I apologize for the short turnaround time for you to respond before then. If you don't see this before then, I think I'm pretty resolved to make it anyway— so I'll let you know how it turns out!
Thanks for the recipe.
Jocelyn
I have actually never baked this in anything but the 9x13 pan. I'm not sure it will work or not. The cake is dense, but it is on the thinner side, so it wouldn't fill the bundt up all the way, and your baking time would definitely be different. If you do try it, please let me know how it turns out.
Jocelyn
If you are looking for a good bundt, this pumpkin spice is my favorite right now. It tastes amazing and smells so good. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/pumpkin-spice-bundt-cake/ or check out this link to see some other flavors in bundts that I have done. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/tag/bundt-cake/
Jodi Fortner
Thanks so much for responding! I saw the pumpkin bundt recipe, it does look good. The issue is I have two pints of apple butter my son canned that I would like to use up... you would recommend I bake the apple butter cake in a 9 by 13?
Jocelyn
I would personally do the 9x13, but that's because I can give you an exact time for that one. Without testing the batter in a bundt pan, I have no idea on baking time or how it will turn out. I just don't want your Thanksgiving dessert to be ruined if it doesn't work.
Peggy
Can you use liquid vanilla instead of the paste? I am ready to bake but don't have the paste vanilla.
Jocelyn
Yes, you can, but you won't have the pretty vanilla bean flecks. I would just use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract also, as the paste is more concentrated. I hope you enjoy the cake!
Jodi Fortner
I must say I hate all of the reviews is say "ooh that looks so good!". Ugh. Sigh.
Has anyone noticed there aren't eggs in this cake? Does it work? I have never seen a cake recipe without eggs.
I may be an old fogey but just tell me how the cake turned out, did you like it and if you made any changes to it. All of the other comments are just a waste of time. I want to spend my time baking not searching for a workable, yummy recipe that isn't a waste of time and money.
Jocelyn
For what is worth, I have made this recipe quite a few times. It always turns out and is absolutely delicious. The reason there are no eggs in this recipe is because of the amount of apple butter. Applesauce or in this case apple butter can be used as a substitute for eggs when you are baking. I hope that helps and that you try baking this cake this fall.
Gee
I read all of the comments. Is there anyone who actually made this apple butter cake. I usually try recipes based on viewer comments. I would love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Gee
Janice
I can't wait to try this. I have one question....what if you don't have the vanilla paste? what would you do instead? thank you 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
You can use vanilla extract in place of it without changing anything else. I hope you enjoy the cake 🙂
Sheila
I love apple butter and have been looking for a apple butter reciepe and this looks delish. Can't wait to try it
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
Oooh, I love apple butter. I've never used it in baking, but I can see I need to remedy that ASAP.
More Sister Stuff
That looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! http://moresisterstuff.blogspot.com/
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Mmm, this cake sounds wonderful, especially with that brown butter vanilla glaze!
Jocelyn
That glaze was seriously to die for. I may or may not have licked the bowl clean:-)
Natalia
Hi how long does this cake last at room temperature? Does it need to be refrigerated? Thanks!
Jocelyn
This cake will keep on the counter for a few days if properly covered. It doesn't need to be refrigerated, unless you have leftovers longer than 3-4 days.
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
I love apple butter! I actually just made pumpkin butter and might love it even more. Such a great fall time staple. And I love that you found a way to incorporate it into this cake. Looks delicious!!
sally @ sallys baking addiction
After seeing these on instagram and twitter, I knew you were up to something incredible Jocelyn! I am an apple butter gal - I love it in desserts. Especially paired with a whole lot of regular butter! 🙂
Jocelyn
This cake was very incredible! You need to try baking with apple butter...it is so delicious and cinnamon spicy! And that glaze...oh the glaze:-)
Nicole
This looks so good! Perfect for chilly weather.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I loooooooved that apple butter. It was so amazingly good! This cake sounds wonderful and I am SO dreading shoe sharing. Maybe she won't be like me and have small feet...but the fact that she wears a 2 at age 7...I think she's gonna have big floppers like her momma. 🙂
Jocelyn
My girl is going to pass me up in the shoe department very very soon. I have mixed feelings over that. Glad because I get my shoes back...sad because it means more money out of our pockets for her feet. I'm thinking I need more cake to console myself:-)
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
I absolutely ADORE apple butter on toast, pancakes, and even mixed into plain greek yogurt (in fact, I have that same jar in my fridge as we speak). I've never tried baking with it, but think it would make all kinds of goodies so flavorful and moist. This cake looks like a fall day that I can gobble with my fork!
Winnie
OMG - that looks GOOD
I'm not sure if I've ever tasted apple-butter. and but I'm sure I'm gonna love it
BTW - I've received a notice of a new post of yours - Banana Toffee Cake, but I don't seem to find it here......?
Congratulation of this new site! It looks wonderful and of-cours I like the colors 🙂
Jocelyn
You will definitely love it. Warm, spicy, and apple goodness all in one bite. Now I'm curious...what kind of notice did you get? I posted that cake probably 2 months ago. I wonder if when I switched servers it sent notices?
Winnie
Yes, I received a notice like it was a new post. But clicking on the link directed me to the your new homepage.
I guess the new server likes this cake LOL 🙂
Chelsea {Whatcha Makin' Now?}
I haven't had apple butter in so long! I need to buy some and make this cake ASAP.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Oh my gosh, Jocelyn! I'm freaking out over this cake! It looks phenom!! I've actually never had apple butter before but it looks really yummy and I need to get my hands on a jar. And this browned butter glaze looks delicious!!
Jocelyn
Oh, you need to try some right away! It is so delicious! And the glaze...yeah, slurpable:-)
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Ooooh those look delcious! I love apple butter on a slice of toast with butter. Mmmm. I'm going to have to get a jar now!!
Jennifer
Melt the butter on the stove or microwave?
Jocelyn Brubaker
For the cake it doesn't matter how you melt it, but the frosting is better if you melt it over the stove and brown it slightly.