Apple Butter Sheet Cake – The Perfect Fall Dessert
Capture the flavors of fall with this Apple Butter Sheet Cake! With the comforting taste of apple butter, warm spices, and a sweet apple cider glaze, this cake is perfect for autumn gatherings or cozy evenings. The best part? It’s quick, easy, and bakes up beautifully in a sheet pan, making it ideal for sharing.
Ready to fill your kitchen with the scent of autumn? Let’s get started!
Apple Butter Sheet Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 cup 2% milk
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
For the Frosting
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- ¼ cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Chopped pecans, for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12×17-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, ensuring a clean and easy release of the cake after baking.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, apple butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until everything is well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Gently stir in the flour, baking soda, and apple pie spice, mixing just until fully blended and no dry spots remain.
3. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when touched lightly. Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Prepare the Frosting
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, apple cider, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth. The frosting should have a glaze-like consistency, perfect for pouring over the cake.
5. Frost the Cake
Once the cake has cooled, pour the frosting evenly over the top, using a spatula to spread it smoothly if needed. For a finishing touch, sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired. Allow the frosting to set for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
6. Serve and Store
Slice and serve this delicious cake immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Servings: 12
This Apple Butter Sheet Cake is as easy as it is delightful. The combination of apple butter and apple cider in the glaze brings out the warm, spiced notes of fall, while the tender cake texture makes it irresistible. Serve it as a dessert, an afternoon snack, or bring it to a gathering to impress your friends and family.
Print
Apple Butter Sheet Cake
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
This Apple Butter Sheet Cake brings together the warmth of fall spices with the richness of apple butter, creating a moist and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for the season. Each bite has the softness of spiced cake balanced by the sweetness of the apple cider glaze and a touch of crunch from chopped pecans. It’s a cake that feels both homey and indulgent, perfect for cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 cup salted butter, melted
1 cup 2% milk
½ cup apple butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
For the Frosting:
½ cup salted butter, melted
¼ cup apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Chopped pecans, for topping (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12×17-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
Make the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, apple butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, and apple pie spice, mixing until fully blended.
Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when gently touched. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting:
In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, apple cider, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth and glaze-like in consistency.
Frost the Cake:
Pour the glaze over the cooled cake, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired. Let the frosting set for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serve and Store:
Slice and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 380