If you’re ready to cozy up with a dessert that feels like a warm hug from fall itself, then the Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is going to become your new best friend. This cake brings together the deep, spiced sweetness of apple butter and the irresistible tang of cream cheese frosting for a dessert that’s both comforting and delightfully flavorful. Perfect for family gatherings, casual afternoons, or whenever you need a slice of happiness, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a show-stopping treat that tastes like an autumn day baked into every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients, each selected to build layers of flavor, moisture, and texture that make this cake so special. Every component plays a vital role, from the spiced flour base to the luscious frosting crowning the final dessert.
- Butter (2/3 cup): Adds richness and tender crumb to the cake, ensuring moist and flavorful results.
- White sugar (3/4 cup): Provides sweetness and helps with the cake’s golden color.
- Brown sugar (3/4 cup): Introduces a deep caramel-like flavor that complements the apple butter perfectly.
- Apple butter (2 cups): The star ingredient that infuses the cake with warm apple spice and natural moisture.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the other flavors with its sweet, floral notes.
- Flour (3 cups): The backbone of the cake, holding everything together with just the right structure.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Leavens the cake beautifully, creating a light and airy texture.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies the spices.
- Cinnamon (1 Tablespoon, or to taste): Brings classic warmth and fragrance that echoes the apple notes.
- Apple pie seasoning (1 teaspoon, or to taste): Adds a perfect blend of spices for that nostalgic fall flavor.
- Cream cheese (1/2 cup): Essential for the frosting, providing tang and creamy smoothness.
- Butter (2 Tablespoons): Used in the frosting for richness and silky texture.
- Powdered icing sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting for easy spreading.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds subtle flavor to the frosting.
- Milk or cream (optional): Used to thin the frosting to your perfect consistency.
How to Make Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Greasing a 9″ x 13″ cake pan and lining it with parchment paper ensures your cake releases perfectly without any sticky mishaps. This small prep step makes cleanup easier and guarantees a smooth cake surface ready for frosting later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Combine the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat them together for about two minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the batter, creating a tender cake texture.
Step 3: Add Apple Butter and Vanilla
Next, mix in the apple butter and vanilla extract. These add that signature apple flavor and a beautiful aroma. Beat until the mixture is uniform, making sure every spoonful promises a burst of warmth and sweetness.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie seasoning. This ensures the leavening and spices are evenly distributed. With well-mixed dry ingredients, you’re one step closer to a cake with perfect crumb and balanced spice.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Add half of your dry mix into the apple butter mixture and stir thoroughly. Then fold in the rest until just combined. Going slow here prevents overmixing, which keeps your cake tender rather than tough. The batter should be smooth and thick, ready to pour into the pan.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging. When done, let the cake cool completely before frosting to ensure the cream cheese topping doesn’t melt away.
Cream Cheese Frosting for Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
For that dreamy frosting, beat together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar for about two minutes until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and a splash of milk or cream to thin it to your preferred consistency. Spread generously over the cooled cake and get ready for some serious admiration from anyone lucky enough to have a slice.
How to Serve Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Top your cake with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch and a rustic look. Fresh apple slices or a light dusting of cinnamon also make beautiful and tasty finishing touches that elevate presentation effortlessly.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a seasonal treat, serve it alongside a warm cup of spiced cider or your favorite chai tea. These sides complement the cake’s warm flavors and create a perfectly cozy dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the cake into squares and serve on vintage plates for a charming rustic feel, or plate it with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant touch. Sharing it at brunch? Turn it into petit squares served with toothpicks for a delightful finger-food dessert option everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping it chilled helps the frosting stay fresh and the cake moist, so every bite remains as delicious as the first.
Freezing
If you want to save this treasure longer, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. This way, you can enjoy slices of fall flavor whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
For the best experience, serve the cake at room temperature. If you prefer it slightly warm, microwave individual slices for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid heating too long or the frosting might lose its smooth texture, so just a gentle warm-up is perfect.
FAQs
Can I use homemade apple butter for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade apple butter can add even more depth and a personal touch to the cake. Just ensure it’s thick and spiced to your liking because it directly influences the final flavor.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure your baking soda and spices are gluten-free to keep it safe for those with sensitivities.
Can I skip the frosting and still enjoy the cake?
Definitely! The apple butter cake on its own is moist and flavorful, so skipping the frosting turns it into a simpler dessert or even a wonderful breakfast cake with coffee.
What makes apple pie seasoning different from cinnamon?
Apple pie seasoning is typically a blend of warm spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sometimes cloves. It enhances complexity and mimics the classic apple pie flavor that cinnamon alone can’t achieve.
How long does it take to bake this cake?
Baking usually takes between 40 to 50 minutes at 350°F. Because ovens vary, start checking for doneness at 40 minutes using a toothpick before you take it out to prevent overbaking.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe truly captures the essence of fall with every bite, blending the spicy, sweet, and creamy in a way that’s absolutely unforgettable. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a comforting treat to enjoy with loved ones, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and watch how a humble collection of ingredients can turn into a dessert that brings warmth and smiles to any occasion.
Print
Apple Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This moist and flavorful Apple Butter Cake combines the rich sweetness of apple butter with warm spices, creating a comforting dessert perfect for any occasion. Topped with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting, this cake offers a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2/3 cup butter
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups apple butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie seasoning (to taste)
Frosting (Optional)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Milk or cream (if desired, to thin)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the correct baking temperature before preparing the cake batter.
- Prepare Cake Pan: Grease and line a 9″ x 13″ cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote easy removal of the cake after baking. Set the pan aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cake texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the apple butter and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugars. Beat the mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie seasoning to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing thoroughly but gently. Then add the remaining dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
- Transfer to Pan: Fold the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Prepare Frosting (Optional): While the cake cools, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, and powdered icing sugar together for about 2 minutes until the frosting is completely smooth. Add vanilla extract and stir. Add milk or cream gradually to thin the frosting to your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the vanilla cream cheese frosting evenly over the top for a rich, creamy finish.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother batter and frosting.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and apple pie seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- If you prefer, you can omit the frosting for a simpler cake or replace it with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
