There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven—and this Apple Butter Cake brings all those cozy fall flavors together in one incredibly moist, tender cake!
Made with rich apple butter, warm cinnamon, and simple pantry ingredients, this easy apple butter cake is perfect for fall baking, Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, Sunday desserts, or a cozy afternoon treat. The apple butter adds incredible moisture and gives every bite a deliciously spiced apple flavor.
If you have a jar of apple butter sitting in your pantry, this is the perfect way to use it!
🍎 Why You’ll Love This Apple Butter Cake
- Super moist and tender thanks to the apple butter
- Packed with cozy apple and cinnamon flavor
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for fall and holiday baking
- Delicious with powdered sugar, caramel drizzle, or vanilla ice cream
- Great for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon coffee treat
- A wonderful way to use homemade or store-bought apple butter
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple butter
- ½ cup buttermilk
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
👩🍳 How to Make Apple Butter Cake
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9-inch square baking pan and lightly flour it.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the Apple Butter
Mix in the apple butter until smooth and well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Bake for 35–42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Add Your Favorite Topping
Once cooled, dust the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle it with warm caramel sauce. For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top.
Slice and serve!
🍂 Tips for the Best Apple Butter Cake
Use thick apple butter: A thick, concentrated apple butter gives the cake the best apple flavor and texture.
Don’t overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake soft and tender.
Let it cool: Allowing the cake to cool before slicing helps it set properly and makes it easier to cut.
Make it extra cozy: Add a little extra cinnamon or a pinch of ground cloves for even more fall flavor.
Add caramel: A drizzle of caramel sauce takes this already delicious cake to the next level!
🍎 What to Serve With Apple Butter Cake
This cake is delicious on its own, but there are plenty of ways to make it even better. Try serving it with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Homemade whipped cream
- Warm caramel sauce
- A dusting of powdered sugar
- Chopped toasted pecans
- A cup of coffee or hot apple cider
🥧 Make-Ahead & Storage
Apple Butter Cake is a great make-ahead dessert because the flavors become even more delicious after it sits.
Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade apple butter?
Absolutely! Homemade apple butter works beautifully in this recipe and can give the cake an even richer apple flavor.
Can I make this cake without buttermilk?
Yes. If you don’t have buttermilk, combine ½ cup of milk with 1½ teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Can I add apples to the cake?
Definitely! For even more apple flavor and texture, fold about ½–1 cup of finely diced peeled apples into the batter before baking.
Can I make this into cupcakes?
Yes! Divide the batter among lined muffin cups and bake at 350°F, checking them around the 18–22 minute mark.
📊 Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving, based on 10 servings:
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 27g
- Protein: 4g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.
🍎 Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy apple dessert that’s perfect for fall, this Apple Butter Cake deserves a spot on your baking list. It’s soft, moist, warmly spiced, and filled with the comforting flavor of apple butter in every bite.
Serve it with a little powdered sugar for a simple dessert, or go all out with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream for the ultimate fall treat. 🍂
Save this Apple Butter Cake recipe to Pinterest so you can come back to it all season long! And if you make it, be sure to share it with someone who loves cozy homemade desserts as much as you do. ❤️
I hope you enjoyed learning about how to make this sweet Old-Fashioned Apple Butter Cake recipe! If you liked this one, you should check out my Caramel Apple Dump Cake recipe and the rest of my blog. If you have any questions, please contact me at: [email protected]