This Apple Butter Cake is like the apple version of carrot cake! An Applesauce Cake made with a Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting.

I am partnering with Kauffman’s Fruit Farm as a blog ambassador. I have received complimentary products from Kauffman’s Fruit Farm, however, all opinions remain completely my own.

PA Dutch Desserts – Apple Butter Cake

I must admit, I talk about my home town often. I have good reason – Lancaster County is absolutely beautiful. Life is sweet, simple and almost slower here. I truly wish each and everyone of you could visit. Breathe in the fresh country air, gaze at the gorgeous scenic views, shop at the local produce stands & farmers markets and experience our rich and diverse culture for yourself.

This Apple Butter Cake starts with a simple and authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Applesauce Cake. I make this cake often, usually when I have an abundance of apples and make a big batch of applesauce. It’s a simple & delicious cake. That, for the record, pretty much sums up PA Dutch cooking.

I decided to take this sweet, simple cake up a notch and top it with an Apple Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. My, oh my! This frosting is so creamy and delicious! The perfect hint of apple cinnamon in a cream cheese frosting. All together – this cake could be best described as a scrumptious apple version of a carrot cake.

Love apple desserts? Me too! Check out my Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze, Old Fashioned Apple Cake & Apple Cranberry Crisp recipes!

Ingredients & Instructions

This apple cake is a pretty standard bake. I add raisins, feel free to add some walnuts as well if you’d like.

I make my own applesauce for this cake and in my heart I feel it makes all the difference. I’ve included a recipe for small batch applesauce. On that note – there’s many a days when there’s not time for applesauce making. Feel free to use your preferred store brand.

When making applesauce, I suggest a combination of sweet apples. Save your tart apples for pies and such. Sugar amounts really do depend on the sweetness of your apples. Start with lesser amounts of sugar and sweeten to taste. I have already made applesauce with apples that were so sweet I didn’t need to add any sugar.

As for the apple butter – I rarely make it anymore these days. I buy Kauffman’s Apple Butter – it’s absolutely delicious, authentic, homemade, small batch made locally with local ingredients.

Apple butter starts off as an applesauce but continues to cook down low and slow. The end result is a sweet, brown, creamy apple butter. Apple butter is a normal condiment in Pennsylvania, I’ve been eating it as long as I can remember. I spread it on toast, eat it with brie or other cheeses, mix it with oatmeal and cream of wheat, bake with it, stir it into yogurt or just eat it by the spoonful.

Here’s to apple season, apple desserts & all things Fall!

Hope you enjoy!

Amanda ♥

Apple Butter Cake

Amanda

This Apple Butter Cake is like the apple version of carrot cake! An Applesauce Cake made with a Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course baked goods

Servings 12 – 16

Ingredients

  

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For Cake

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon heaping
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 cup lightly sweetened applesauce store bought or homemade (basic recipe to follow)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup raisins

For Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 tablespoon salted butter softened
• 1/3 cup Apple Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups powdered sugar

For Applesauce (Optional)

• 4 sweet apples mixed variety is best
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

 

For Cake

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease or spray a 13″x9″ baking dish.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
• In a separate mixing bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, applesauce and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
• Combine flour mixture to applesauce mixture, stir until combined. Do not over mix.
• Stir in raisins.
• Spoon cake batter into baking pan (it will be thick) and bake 26 – 32 minutes. Top should be lightly golden browned and toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.
• Cool on wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.

For Frosting

• In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add in apple butter and cinnamon. Beat for an additional minute or two, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Mixing over low speed, add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a a time, mixing until smooth and combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
• Continue to beat until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• If you would like a stiffer frosting, add an additional 1/2 cup – 3/4 cup powdered sugar.
• Frost cake & enjoy 🙂

For Applesauce (Optional)

• Peel, core and chop apples.
• Combine apples with water, brown sugar and cinnamon in a pan.
• Gently simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If mixture seems to be drying out, add a bit more water.
• Using a potato masher, mash applesauce. (You could use a food mill or food processor if you don’t have a masher.)
• Taste, adjust sugar and cinnamon if necessary.
• Simmer for another 5 – 10 minutes, mash again.
• Makes about 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups.

Notes

Feel free to add walnuts to cakes if you would like! 

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!