Description
Apple Butter Cake is a moist two-layer fall cake flavored with apple butter and apple pie spice, then covered with smooth apple cider frosting for warm apple flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cake:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (245 g) whole milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (125 g) apple butter
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (60 g) apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, whole milk, apple butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth.
- Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and apple pie spice. Whisk just until blended and no dry streaks remain.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter with a stand mixer or hand mixer until creamy.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and apple cider. Beat until fully combined, smooth, and fluffy.
- Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate and spread frosting over the top. Add the second layer, then frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Slice and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Measure the flour accurately to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour.
- Let both cake layers cool completely before adding the frosting.
- Store the covered cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 461
- Sugar: 54
- Sodium: 162
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 66
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 72