A moist brown butter apple cake is just enough to bring comfort and warmth to any occasion. Combining the exquisite and nutty flavor of brown butter with the freshness of apples, this cake is a beautiful marriage of traditional and contemporary styles.
As a baking aficionado, I have tried many apple cake recipes, but this is my absolute favorite. So easy to make, the recipe doesn’t call for anything fancy, which makes it an instant win for home cooks who want to whip up a quick and impressive dessert.
Whether it’s for a fall gathering or an all-time craving for something sweet, the Brown Butter Apple Cake will surely become a household staple.
Why Brown Butter Apple Cake is a Must-Try Fall Dessert
Fall is the season for all things cosy, comforting, and delicious, and Brown Butter Apple Cake ticks every box on that list. If you’ve been searching for the perfect fall dessert to share with family and friends, this cake should be at the top of your list. Here’s why it’s the ultimate autumn treat:
1. The Perfect Fall Flavor Combination
Brown Butter Apple Cake is a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of autumn. This dessert features two key ingredients: apples and brown butter. The sweet juices from the apples blend seamlessly with the nutty flavor of brown butter, creating a rich combination that captures the essence of fall in every bite. With varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, this cake truly embodies the spirit of autumn like no other dessert.
2. Warm, Comforting, and Moist
The essence of fall desserts is like a warm hug, and the Brown Butter Apple Cake embodies that perfectly. This cake has a soft, crumbly texture and remains moist due to the addition of apple butter and grated apples. It pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. The brown butter enhances the cake’s richness and depth of flavor, making it both luxurious and delicious without being overly heavy.
3. The Ultimate Comfort Food for Chilly Days
As autumn days get shorter and the weather turns crisp and chilly, there’s nothing more comforting than baking and munching on a homemade cake. Brown Butter Apple Cake is precisely the dessert to keep you warm on any cool fall evening, whether you are curled up with a book or conversing around the table with loved ones. The warm, spiced flavours are just what the season calls for.
How To Prepare Brown Butter Apple Cake
Recipe Overview
This Brown Butter Apple Cake is an old-fashioned dessert that combines the rich flavor of brown butter with fresh, juicy apples. It’s incredibly moist, thanks to the addition of apple butter and grated apples, and it’s finished off with a luscious brown butter frosting that takes this cake to a whole new level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dessert
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: 8 servings
- Calories: Approximately 280 calories per serving
Equipment You’ll Need for Brown Butter Apple Cake
- 1. Mixing Bowls
- 2. Whisk
- 3. Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 4. Grater
- 5. Saucepan
- 6. 9-Inch Cake Pan
- 7. Cooling Rack
- 8. Offset Spatula or Butter Knife
- 9. Spoon or Ladle (Optional)
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 large apple, grated (I prefer using a tart variety like Granny Smith)
For the Brown Butter Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the brown butter: In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup of butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and sea salt. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the apple butter and grated apple, mixing until combined.
- Add brown butter: Slowly stir in the cooled brown butter into the wet ingredients. Once everything is well incorporated, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan, spreading it evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: While the cake is cooling, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is browned. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the butter cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
- Frost the cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the brown butter frosting over the top. Slice, serve, and enjoy the perfect bite of fall!
My Secret Tips for Perfect Brown Butter Apple Cake
- Brown the butter carefully: The key to this cake is the brown butter. Watch it closely while it’s cooking. If it burns, it will affect the flavor, so remove it from heat as soon as it becomes golden and smells nutty.
- Grate the apple: Grating the apple allows for even distribution throughout the cake, enhancing its moisture and flavor. I prefer using a tart apple to create a nice balance with the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Apple butter substitution: If you don’t have apple butter on hand, you can use regular applesauce as a substitute, but it won’t have quite the same richness.
Exciting Variations and Serving Ideas
- Apple Streusel Topping: For a fun twist, top your cake with an apple streusel before baking. It will give it a crunchy texture that complements the soft cake perfectly.
- Serving Ideas: This cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
- Make it a layer cake: To make this cake even more stunning, split the batter between two 8-inch round pans to create a layered cake. Frost between the layers and on top for a showstopping dessert!
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Brown Butter Apple Cake
- Don’t Rush the Brown Butter
The key to the rich, nutty flavor of this cake is properly browned butter. Take your time to melt the butter over medium heat and swirl the pan occasionally to ensure it browns evenly. Once it reaches a golden-brown colour and releases a nutty aroma, remove it from heat immediately to avoid burning. - Grate the Apples for Even Moisture
Grating the apples helps distribute the moisture evenly throughout the cake, ensuring a soft, moist texture in every bite. I prefer using a tart variety like Granny Smith for balance, but you can use any apple you enjoy. - Don’t Overmix the Batter
When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be gentle. Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense cake. Stir until the ingredients are just combined, and the batter is smooth but not overworked. - Cool the Cake Completely Before Frosting
It’s tempting to frost your cake while it’s still warm, but waiting until it has fully cooled allows the frosting to set properly and prevents it from melting into the cake. Patience here will pay off with a beautiful finish! - Add a Streusel Topping for Extra Crunch
For an added layer of texture and flavor, top your Brown Butter Apple Cake with a streusel topping before baking. This adds a crispy, sugary crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, moist cake beneath. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of apple in this recipe?
Yes, you can! Granny Smith apples are my favorite for their tartness, but you can also use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or any other firm apple.
Can I make this cake without the brown butter frosting?
Absolutely! The cake is delicious on its own. If you prefer a simpler dessert, just enjoy it without frosting or serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! This cake stores well in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. It also freezes beautifully—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I substitute the apple butter with applesauce?
Yes, you can. The texture will be a bit different, but the cake will still turn out delicious.
Video Tutorial
Conclusion
This Brown Butter Apple Cake is one of those recipes that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something.
The smell that fills your kitchen and lures one back to the oven is the beginning. When you bite into it, you’ll be stunned by how seamlessly that moist (thanks to brown butter) texture and nutty, toasty depth of flavor (thanks to that teeming tablespoon of brown butter!) come together to make the ultimate autumn dessert.
So, whether you’re baking this for family, a celebration, or simply for self-indulgence, this simple apple cake, along with the step-by-step images, is just what you need.
There’s something irresistible about the pairing of fresh apple and brown butter, and I bet this will be your new favorite dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the brown butter: In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup of butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and sea salt. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the apple butter and grated apple, mixing until combined.
- Add brown butter: Slowly stir in the cooled brown butter into the wet ingredients. Once everything is well incorporated, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan, spreading it evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: While the cake is cooling, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is browned. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the butter cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
- Frost the cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the brown butter frosting over the top. Slice, serve, and enjoy the perfect bite of fall!
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