Irresistible Apple Butter Spice Cake: Your Ultimate Fall Baking Companion

As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, and a crisp coolness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of fall baking wafting through your home. Our incredibly moist Apple Butter Spice Cake is the quintessential autumn dessert, a celebration of all things cozy and flavorful. Each delightful bite is a symphony of warm cinnamon and rich apple butter, creating a taste experience that truly embodies the spirit of the season. To elevate this cake to an even more extraordinary level, it’s crowned with a luscious apple butter buttercream frosting that is simply divine. And for those mindful of their sugar intake, we’ve thoughtfully included a sugar-free option, ensuring everyone can indulge in this seasonal treat!

Beyond this spectacular apple butter creation, fall inspires a host of other easy and beloved recipes. You might also enjoy whipping up my popular Starbucks Banana Bread, the fragrant Cinnamon Applesauce Bread, or exploring a variety of delightful options from our collection of 20 Smashing Pumpkin Breads for Fall. These recipes are perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave a homemade treat.

Embrace the Flavors of Fall Baking Season

There’s an undeniable magic that accompanies the arrival of fall, especially in the kitchen. It’s a season that beckons us to embrace heartwarming spices and the bounty of nature’s harvest. Bring on the comforting notes of cinnamon, the earthy sweetness of pumpkin, the crisp freshness of apples, and the decadent richness of caramel! My excitement for this season is palpable, and this particular cake holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.

It’s not just a dessert; it’s an opportunity. This Apple Butter Spice Cake is a fantastic way to utilize any surplus apples you might have from an apple-picking adventure to craft your very own homemade apple butter. Alternatively, if you’re like me and always keep a few jars of delicious apple butter on hand, this recipe is a perfect excuse to put it to good use. I recently discovered some incredible apple butter at an Amish market and couldn’t resist stocking up – it truly makes all the difference in this cake!

Are you yearning for a sweet treat that’s both deeply flavorful and incredibly satisfying? Look no further. Our Apple Butter Spice Cake, generously slathered with its matching apple butter buttercream, is the delicious answer to your cravings. This single-layer cake is robust enough to impress without being overly complicated, making it ideal for both seasoned bakers and beginners alike.

This classic dessert perfectly marries sweetness with a symphony of autumnal spices and intense apple flavor. Whether you’re planning to share it at a casual book club gathering, looking for a show-stopping finale to an intimate dinner party, or simply treating yourself to a moment of pure bliss, this cake is guaranteed to be a hit. The recipe for this apple butter cake is remarkably straightforward and easy to follow. Prepare yourself for a wonderfully moist and fluffy spice-infused cake, beautifully complemented by a thick layer of creamy apple butter buttercream. Get ready to impress everyone who takes a bite of this unforgettable dessert! What are you waiting for? Let the fall baking commence!

Demystifying Apple Butter: A Concentrated Delight

For those new to this wonderful ingredient, you might be wondering, what exactly is apple butter? To put it simply, apple butter is a highly concentrated form of applesauce. It’s made by slowly cooking down pureed apples over an extended period, often several hours, allowing much of the water content to evaporate. During this long, slow cooking process, the natural sugars in the apples caramelize, resulting in a rich, dark brown spread with an incredibly intense apple flavor. Think of it as applesauce, but deeper, richer, and more complex.

Typically, apple butter is flavored with classic fall spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which further enhance its comforting profile. The cooking process is similar to that of applesauce, but with a key difference: after the apples are milled, pureed, or finely chopped, they are cooked for a significantly longer duration. This extended cooking time achieves a greater reduction of water and encourages that beautiful caramelization. The final product is a spread bursting with a profound apple essence that’s far more potent than simple applesauce.

Here’s the interesting part: ironically, there is no actual butter in apple butter! The “butter” in its name refers to its smooth, thick, and spreadable consistency, much like dairy butter or a rich fruit jam. It’s absolutely divine spread on warm, crusty toast or fresh-from-the-oven rolls. And, as you’re about to discover, it makes an unbelievably delicious ingredient in our Apple Butter Cake!

Essential Ingredients for Your Moist Apple Cake Recipe

Crafting this delightful Apple Butter Spice Cake requires a selection of common pantry staples and, of course, that star ingredient: apple butter. Gathering your ingredients before you begin will ensure a smooth and enjoyable baking process. Don’t forget to check for a sugar-free alternative for a healthier twist!

For the Apple Butter Spice Cake

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cake. Ensure it’s fresh for the best texture.
• Baking soda: Our leavening agent, crucial for a light and fluffy crumb.
• Salt: A pinch enhances all the flavors.
• Ground cinnamon: The primary warming spice, a hallmark of fall baking.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, sweet, and nutty undertone.
• Ground cloves: Provides a pungent, aromatic depth to the spice blend.
• Granulated sugar: For sweetness and moisture. For a sugar-free option, substitute with Lakanto Monkfruit Sugar.
• Unsalted butter, at room temperature: Essential for creaming and creating a tender cake.
• Large eggs: Provide structure and richness to the batter.
• Apple Butter: The star ingredient, bringing intense apple flavor and moisture. For a sugar-free cake, use sugar-free apple butter.
• Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess, moisture, and helps create a tender crumb.
• Optional: 1 apple, cored and diced, if you prefer some fresh apple pieces within the cake for added texture.
• Optional: A handful of chopped walnuts for extra crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with apples and spices.

For the Luxurious Apple Butter Buttercream Frosting

• Salted butter, room temperature: The base of our creamy frosting. Salted butter balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Powdered sugar: Provides the essential sweetness and structure for the buttercream. For a sugar-free option, opt for Lakanto Powdered Sugar.
• Apple butter: Infuses the frosting with that delightful apple spice flavor, making it incredibly cohesive with the cake. Use sugar-free apple butter for a sugar-free frosting.
• Optional: Add 1-2 tablespoons of caramel sauce for an extra layer of rich, sweet flavor. Use sugar-free caramel if making a sugar-free cake.

Baking Your Perfect Apple Butter Spice Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create a truly unforgettable Apple Butter Spice Cake. Precision and attention to detail will ensure a beautifully moist and flavorful result.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan by lightly greasing it with cooking spray. For effortless removal of your baked cake, you can also line the bottom with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Whisk them thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed, then set this mixture aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar (or Lakanto sugar for the sugar-free option) until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cake’s tender texture.
4. Gradually add the large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. This ensures a smooth emulsion and prevents the batter from curdling.

Incorporating the Rich Apple Butter and Wet Ingredients

Now it’s time to introduce the star of our show: the apple butter, along with the remaining wet and dry ingredients, to form a harmonious batter.

• Gently stir in the apple butter until it is thoroughly combined with the butter, sugar, and egg mixture. The apple butter will deepen the color and enrich the flavor of your batter significantly.
• Next, begin adding the whisked dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the Greek yogurt. Start with a third of the dry ingredients, mix briefly, then add half of the yogurt, mix again, then another third of the dry, the remaining yogurt, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overbeat the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough cake. The goal is just to eliminate any visible streaks of flour.
• If you’re opting for the diced fresh apple or chopped walnuts, gently fold them into the batter at this stage.

Baking Your Moist and Flavorful Cake

With your batter prepared, it’s time to bring this delicious creation to life in the oven. The intoxicating aroma filling your kitchen will be a testament to the goodness to come.

• Carefully spread the prepared cake batter evenly into your greased and/or parchment-lined baking pan.
• Bake for approximately 40-55 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on the size and material of your pan, as well as your specific oven. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean, without any wet batter clinging to it. If it comes out with moist crumbs, that’s perfectly fine; it indicates a wonderfully moist cake.
• Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake thoroughly is crucial before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting. While the cake cools, you can begin preparing the irresistible frosting.

Crafting the Irresistible Apple Butter Buttercream Frosting

No Apple Butter Spice Cake would be complete without a generous dollop of velvety Apple Butter Buttercream. This frosting is the perfect complement, enhancing the cake’s flavors and adding a touch of decadent creaminess.

1. In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature salted butter on medium speed. Continue beating until the butter becomes noticeably light, fluffy, and almost white in appearance. This can take several minutes and is key to a truly airy buttercream.
2. Add the apple butter to the whipped butter and mix thoroughly until well combined. The apple butter will tint the frosting a lovely, warm color and infuse it with its signature spiced apple flavor. If you desire, now is the time to add one or two tablespoons of caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness and depth.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar (or Lakanto powdered sugar for a sugar-free version) to the apple butter mixture, mixing on low speed until combined, then increasing to medium speed until the frosting is creamy and smooth. If the buttercream seems too soft, add a bit more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired stiffness. If it’s too stiff, add a teaspoon or two of milk (dairy or non-dairy) to make it more spreadable.
4. For a delightful textural contrast, consider adding some finely chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the frosted cake. As an alternative frosting variation, you could also substitute this with a rich cream cheese frosting for a slightly tangy profile.

Additional Baking Tips for Apple Butter Cake Success

To ensure your Apple Butter Spice Cake turns out perfectly every time, keep these expert baking tips in mind. They’ll help you achieve the best texture, flavor, and overall result.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: This is a crucial step often overlooked. For optimal results when baking, ensure all cold ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify and combine much more easily and uniformly into the batter, creating a smoother mixture and a more consistent, tender cake texture.
• Do Not Overmix Cake Batter: When you’re incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet, mix only until they are just combined. You should stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour excessively, which can lead to a tough, dense, and chewy cake, rather than the light and tender crumb you desire. It can also cause the cake to bake unevenly or develop large, undesirable holes.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: The freshness of your ingredients significantly impacts the final taste and texture of your baked goods. Older baking soda or baking powder can lose their potency over time, meaning your cake won’t rise properly, resulting in a flat or heavy cake. Similarly, using older ground spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can diminish their pleasant aroma and spicy taste, leading to a less flavorful cake. Always check the expiration dates on your leavening agents and spices for the best results.
• Spice Variations: If you happen to have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can easily substitute it for the individual cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove spices listed in the recipe. Simply measure out 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to replace the combined amount of the three. Alternatively, apple pie spice would also work wonderfully, offering a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
• Frosting is Optional: While I personally adore frosting on cake, this Apple Butter Spice Cake is inherently moist and flavorful enough to be enjoyed plain. If you’re looking for a simpler dessert or prefer less sweetness, feel free to serve it without the buttercream. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also be a beautiful and simple finish.
• Make It Sugar-Free: As mentioned, this recipe is incredibly adaptable to a sugar-free diet. By substituting granulated sugar with Lakanto monkfruit sugar and using sugar-free apple butter and powdered sugar, you can significantly reduce the sugar content without sacrificing any of the delicious fall flavors.

Proper Storage for Your Apple Butter Spice Cake

To keep your delicious Apple Butter Spice Cake fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible, follow these storage guidelines.

• Refrigerator: This cake, especially with its buttercream frosting, will stay fresh and flavorful when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For the best flavor and texture, allow slices to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving, or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
• Freezer: Apple Butter Cake freezes exceptionally well. To freeze, ensure the cake is completely cooled. Wrap it tightly first in a layer of plastic wrap, then follow with a second protective layer of aluminum foil. Properly wrapped, the cake will remain fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can freeze the entire cake or individual slices.
• Thawing and Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cake, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. For a warm and soft treat, place a slice of thawed cake in the microwave for just a few seconds until it’s warmed through and tender.

Seriously, friends, this lush Apple Butter Spice Cake recipe is nothing short of heavenly! It truly is an autumn classic that wraps every single bite in a cozy, comforting hug. The harmonious blend of apples, warm spices, and the buttery richness of the cake, paired with its luxurious buttercream, makes it an exceptionally decadent and memorable dessert.

Making this cake from scratch is not only a delightful culinary adventure but also a much more affordable option than purchasing a pre-made one from a store. Home baking offers a wonderful opportunity to create not just delicious treats, but also cherished, lasting memories with your loved ones in the warmth of your own kitchen. Serve a slice of this magnificent cake with a steaming cup of coffee for a morning treat, or a huge, frosty glass of cold milk for an afternoon indulgence. If you find yourself craving more apple-inspired delights, be sure to check out our extensive collection of 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes!

Discover More Desserts You’ll Love!

• OMG Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies! Pure Nirvana
• Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake
• 25 Yummy Fall Desserts
• No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cream Pie
• Sugar-Free Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
• 25 Best Apple-icious Desserts That’ll Tempt You
• Super Easy Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars
• Caramel Apple Cupcakes
• Chunky Apple Walnut Cake

Recipe slightly adapted from White Lights on Wednesday & View From Great Island.