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Apple Butter Sheet Cake

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A moist, warmly spiced sheet cake infused with rich apple butter and topped with a creamy cinnamon glaze. This easy crowd-pleaser is perfect for fall gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you crave a cozy dessert!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ¼ tsp ground cloves

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup apple butter (store-bought or homemade)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ cup buttermilk

For the Cinnamon Glaze:

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar

  • 2 tbsp melted butter

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 23 tbsp milk or apple cider

  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

  • Chopped toasted pecans

  • Thin apple slices

Instructions

1. Make the Cake Batter:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

  3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.

  4. Mix in apple butter and vanilla.

  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined.

2. Bake the Cake:

  • Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

  • Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

3. Make the Glaze & Finish:

  • Whisk all glaze ingredients until smooth, adding milk/cider as needed for consistency.

  • Drizzle over cooled cake. Top with pecans or apple slices if desired.


Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

  • Perfect for Thanksgiving or Halloween parties

  • Pair with coffee or hot cider

Notes

Pro Tips

  • Homemade apple butter adds deeper flavor (simmer 4 cups applesauce with spices for 1 hour)

  • Room temp ingredients ensure even mixing

  • Don’t overbake – the cake should stay moist

Storage Instructions

  • Cover and store at room temp for 3 days

  • Refrigerate for 5 days

  • Freeze unglazed cake for 2 months

    Enjoy this warmly spiced taste of autumn!