When you want a dessert that wraps you in a blanket of warm, autumn flavors, Apple Butter Spice Cake is the answer. Moist, tender, and richly spiced, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings, family dinners, or just when you want something comforting and deeply flavorful. It takes everything you love about the season—apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—and bakes it into one irresistible treat.
What makes this cake shine is the apple butter. Unlike applesauce, apple butter is thick, concentrated, and deeply flavored. It adds moisture, sweetness, and a rich apple essence that pairs beautifully with warm spices. The result? A cake that’s not just moist, but full of depth.
This is the kind of dessert that feels nostalgic and new at the same time. It brings the classic spice cake vibe but elevates it with intense apple flavor and a texture that melts in your mouth. No dry crumbs here. Just soft, rich layers that get better the next day.
Whether you’re serving it plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or topped with cream cheese frosting, it’s a crowd-pleaser. It’s sweet but not overwhelming, with spice levels that are cozy, not overpowering.
And it’s incredibly simple to make. One bowl, no mixer required. It comes together quickly, making it a great last-minute dessert that still feels thoughtful and special.
You can bake it in a square pan, loaf pan, or even turn it into cupcakes. It’s versatile, forgiving, and perfect for both beginner bakers and pros looking for something reliably delicious.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool with a dollop of whipped cream. It also pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or spiced tea.
Another bonus? It travels well. Bring it to potlucks, family dinners, or gift it during the holidays. It’s sturdy enough to handle the ride but soft enough to wow when sliced.
Because the apple butter brings so much natural sweetness and moisture, you don’t need tons of sugar or oil. This makes the cake feel lighter without sacrificing indulgence.
It also keeps beautifully. The flavors deepen overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert. Just store in an airtight container and enjoy for days.
With this recipe, you don’t need fancy ingredients or techniques—just real flavor. It captures everything comforting about fall and bakes it into a cake that hits all the right notes.
It’s rustic, homey, and full of personality. This isn’t a dessert that tries too hard. It doesn’t need to. The flavor speaks for itself.
Whether it’s your first time making spice cake or your fiftieth, this recipe belongs in your rotation. It’s that good.
Servings: 9 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In another bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips:
- Don’t overmix the batter; stir just until combined for the best texture.
- For extra indulgence, top with cream cheese frosting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Want to freeze it? Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Deep, spiced apple flavor
- Super moist and tender crumb
- Easy one-bowl preparation
- Perfect for fall and holiday baking
- Keeps well and gets even better the next day
Apple Butter Spice Cake is the ultimate fall dessert. Rich in flavor, perfectly spiced, and incredibly moist, it’s easy to make and even easier to love.
Apple Butter Spice Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In another bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter; stir just until combined for the best texture.
- For extra indulgence, top with cream cheese frosting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Want to freeze it? Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months.
