Apple Butter Texas Sheet Cake is a cozy, autumn-inspired treat. A super moist cake with rich apple butter and warm spices, topped with an Apple Butter Frosting. It's like fall on a plate—perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself!

Baking an Apple Butter Sheet Cake fills the kitchen with the aroma of Fall, making everything feel cozier. This cake blends creamy apple butter into a tender, spiced batter baked in a sheet pan. The crowning glory is apple butter frosting that soaks into every nook and cranny, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
Please let us know in the comments and ratings below, if you try this recipe.
Try some of our other favorite cakes: Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake, Maple Bacon Texas Sheet Cake, Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake, or Texas Tornado (Do Nothing) Cake.
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What ingredients do I need for Apple Butter Texas Sheet Cake?
Apple Butter Texas Sheet Cake
- unsalted butter
- water
- buttermilk or sour cream
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- apple butter
- vanilla extract
- all purpose flour
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground cloves
- baking soda
- salt
Apple Butter Frosting
- unsalted butter
- milk
- apple butter
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
FAQs
An Apple Butter Texas Sheet Cake is a large, thin cake infused with apple butter and warm spices, topped with an apple butter frosting. It's known for its moist texture and rich flavor, making it a perfect fall dessert.
Absolutely! Homemade apple butter can enhance the flavor of the cake even more. Just make sure it has a thick, spreadable consistency.
Yes, you can freeze the cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before placing it in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.
Certainly! Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled on top of the glaze for added crunch and flavor. Other toppings like a drizzle of caramel can also be delicious.
Definitely! The large size and easy serving nature of a Texas sheet cake make it perfect for potlucks, parties, and gatherings. It's easy to cut into squares and serves a crowd.
Top Tips
- Allow eggs to come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smoother batter.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can cause the cake to become tough and dense. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Whether store-bought or homemade, make sure your apple butter is thick and rich for the best flavor and moisture.
- Spread the batter evenly in the sheet pan to ensure the cake bakes uniformly. An offset spatula can be helpful for this.
- Sheet cakes bake quickly due to their thinness. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it for longer storage. Bring refrigerated slices to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
How do I make Apple Butter Sheet Cake?
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 18x13 inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix all purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, beat eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, sour cream, vanilla, and cloves. Pour into the dry ingredients bowl and whisk until smooth.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, boil butter, water, and apple butter to a light boil. Add this mixture to the flour batter and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- To make the frosting: Melt butter, apple butter, and milk over medium heat, until reaching a light boil. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until no lumps. Mix in the butter mixture, combining until smooth.
- Spread frosting over the warm cake, while the frosting is also still warm. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Enjoy!
Apple Butter Texas Sheet Cake
Ingredients
Apple Butter Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Apple Butter Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon apple butter
- 5-6 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Apple Butter Cake
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 18x13 inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix all purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, beat eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, sour cream, and cloves. Pour into the dry ingredients bowl and whisk until smooth.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, boil butter, water, and apple butter to a light boil. Add this mixture to the flour batter and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Apple Butter Frosting
- Melt butter, apple butter, and milk over medium heat, until reaching a light boil.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until no lumps. Mix in the butter mixture, combining until smooth.
- Spread frosting over the warm cake, while the frosting is also still warm. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Enjoy!
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