This apple butter snack cake is the perfect fall bake. A sheet cake made with rich apple butter and grated Honeycrisp apples, it bakes up tender and is finished with a brown butter icing for an irresistible autumn treat.
It’s officially cake season.
This apple butter snack cake is deeply spiced and incredibly tender. The apple butter gives concentrated apple flavor while grated fresh apples add texture and brightness. A brown butter glaze adds a nutty, caramel-like finish that elevates every bite.
We love apple butter in our house. It’s sweet, spiced, and somehow so comforting—perfect on toast or folded into baked goods. Unlike applesauce, apple butter is concentrated and brings bold fall flavor without weighing the cake down.
Apple butter works like a concentrated, jammy swap for other wet ingredients. It adds depth and spice to this sheet cake, making the crumb moist but not overly cakey. I love using spreads like this in quick bakes—think of the flavor punch they provide.
This recipe also calls for a grated apple—Honeycrisp is my pick for sweetness, crunch, and that bright tart edge that screams fall. I grate one whole apple into the batter for moisture and texture, then thinly slice another for a pretty topping.
The batter is straightforward: melted butter and brown sugar, apple butter, eggs, vanilla, and the usual dry ingredients. It bakes for about 40 minutes and fills the kitchen with cozy, spiced aromas—no candle required.
For topping, powdered sugar is lovely and simple, but I usually make a brown butter icing. Browned butter brings a toasty, almost caramel note that pairs perfectly with apple and cinnamon. Whisk it with powdered sugar, add a touch of milk to reach the right consistency, and drizzle over the cooled cake.
This cake is ideal for after-school snacks, coffee breaks, or to share at a casual gathering. If you go apple picking, it’s a great way to use those fresh apples—and you can always make your own apple butter if you prefer.
Warm slices with coffee or tea make an easy, feel-good treat.
Apple Butter Snack Cake
Apple Butter Snack Cake
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Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup apple butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Honeycrisp apples
- powdered sugar, for sprinkling
brown butter icing
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
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In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk in the apple butter, then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
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Grate one Honeycrisp apple and stir it into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
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Thinly slice the second Honeycrisp apple, remove the seeds, and arrange the slices on top of the batter.
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Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool slightly.
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Dust with powdered sugar and/or drizzle with brown butter icing before serving.
brown butter icing
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Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Swirl and cook until the butter foams and small brown bits form on the bottom. Remove from heat and stir for 30 seconds, then let cool slightly.
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Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until the glaze is smooth and drizzle-able. Drizzle or spread over the cooled cake.
Notes
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Thanks so much!
Apple season reigns supreme.