Easy Apple Poke Cake with Apple Butter & Spiced Apples
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This apple poke cake tastes like every fall memory baked into one pan—warm spices, sweet apples, and whipped cream that’s almost too good to share. It’s the cozy cousin of my pumpkin poke cake, and honestly, you’ll want a slice of both before the leaves finish falling.
The Secret to That Apple Pie Flavor
This isn’t your average poke cake—we’re going full apple pie mode here. Soft, buttery apples simmered with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar get spooned over the top, mingling with that spiced cake and fluffy cream topping. It’s like your favorite apple pie filling crashed a poke cake party, and honestly, we’re all better for it.
Ingredients for Apple Poke Cake
Ingredients for Spiced Apple Pie Topping
Ingredient Notes
Cake Mix – Look, sometimes you just need cake now. Boxed mix to the rescue. A spice cake mix works beautifully, but butter pecan, yellow, or even white cake can jump in—just add a little extra spice. Either way, this shortcut makes your apple butter poke cake weeknight-friendly and party-perfect.
Apple Butter – The secret weapon. Use homemade if you can (our old-fashioned apple butter recipe is magic), but no one’s judging if you grab a jar from the store. It’s what gives this apple pie poke cake that deep, cozy flavor.
Butter – Forget oil. Melted butter gives this cake a rich flavor and dreamy texture. It’s the difference between “oh that’s nice” and “whoa, what is this cake?”
Whipped Cream – Homemade is the only way to go here. This whipped cream is lightly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for that perfect fall finish. It’s the luscious crown on top of this spiced apple cake masterpiece.
Pro Tips for Poke Cake
The “Pokes.” Don’t be shy—poke plenty of holes! Aim for about 1-inch spacing so the filling seeps evenly throughout the cake. Each hole should go about halfway down for the perfect soak. I like using the handle of a wooden spoon (great size, no tearing), but in a pinch, a plastic straw works too. More holes = more flavor.
Mixing. When it comes to batter, less is more. A quick 1-minute mix is all you need to combine the ingredients. Overmixing can make your poke cake dense or rubbery, and no one wants that. Light hand, tender crumb.
Substitutions & Variations
Cake Mix: Can’t find spice cake? Butter pecan, yellow, or white work fine—just add a teaspoon or two of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Spices: Add a dash of ginger, cardamom, or mace for your own signature touch. Apple pie spice works too if you’re the one-and-done type.
Nuts: Pecans are the go-to, but walnuts hold their own with a nice earthy crunch. Either way, that nutty bite plays beautifully with the sweet apple butter filling.
Apple Pie Topping: I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes to make this from scratch—it’s worth every bit of effort. But if you’re in a pinch, you can absolutely use store-bought apple pie filling. Just go for a high-quality brand like Bonne Maman, and keep in mind it won’t be quite as chunky or flavorful as homemade.
Storing & Serving Apple Poke Cake
Here’s the best part: this spiced apple poke cake actually tastes better the next day. The flavors mingle, the texture settles, and suddenly you’re the person who “makes things ahead” on purpose.
Make the spiced apple topping about an hour before serving for the freshest look. Leftovers? Pop them in the fridge. The apples might brown a little, but no one’s complaining once they take a bite.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Best within 1–2 days, but it’ll keep for up to a week if you somehow have self-control.
FAQs
What’s the best way to poke holes in apple poke cake?
The handle of a wooden spoon is perfect for evenly sized holes, but a plastic straw works in a pinch. The goal is consistent holes so your apple butter filling seeps evenly.
Why is my cake soggy?
If the cake turns soggy, the holes were likely too deep or too close together, letting too much filling in at once. For a perfectly moist spiced cake, aim for holes about halfway through the cake, spaced roughly 1 inch apart.
Do you poke the holes when the cake is hot or cold?
The cake should be cooled. This is a sticky cake so twisting the poking device while making holes is helpful. Also clean off the poker in between pokes for cleaner holes.
Love Cozy Fall Desserts?
If this apple poke cake has you torn between your love of apples and all things pumpkin, my apple butter pumpkin pie is the perfect middle ground. Creamy, spiced, and packed with apple butter goodness—it’s the best of both worlds. Perfect for when you can’t decide between pumpkin and apple.
Apple Poke Cake
Equipment
- 9" x 13" Baking Pan (a 3 quart pan will also work)
- Small & Large Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls
- Spatula
Ingredients
Spiced Apple Cake
- 1 Box Spiced Cake Mix
- 1.5 c Apple Sauce
- 2 Large Eggs
- ½ c Salted Butter
- 1 c Chopped Pecans
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Allspice
- ½ tsp Nutmeg
- ¼ tsp Ground Cloves
- ½ tsp Salt
- 8-10 oz Apple Butter
Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- 2 c Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 tbsp Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
Spiced Apple Topping
- 6 c Chopped Apples
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 6 tbsp Apple Cider or apple juice
- 6 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 6 tbsp Salted Butter
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Allspice
- ¼ tsp Ground Cloves
Instructions
Apple Poke Cake
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9″ x 13″ pan and set aside.
- In a small saucepan melt the butter on medium low heat. Add the chopped pecans and cook 3-5 minutes until fragrant & lightly toasted.1/2 c Salted Butter, 1 c Chopped Pecans
- In a large bowl combine the cake mix, apple sauce, eggs, butter pecan mixture, spices, and salt.1 Box Spiced Cake Mix, 1.5 c Apple Sauce, 2 Large Eggs, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Allspice, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves, 1/2 tsp Salt
- Mix by hand until combined.
- Spread the batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool while you prepare the filling and whipped cream.
- Once cooled, use the end of a wooden spoon or straw to poke holes all over the cake, being careful not to poke all the way to the bottom.
- Spread the apple butter all over the cake making sure all the holes are filled (some apple butter will remain on top of cake).8-10 oz Apple Butter
- Evenly spread the cinnamon whipped cream on top of cake. Dust with more cinnamon & nutmeg if desired. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes.
- Cut into squares and add a scoop of spiced apples on top before serving.
Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- In a medium bowl combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.2 c Heavy Whipping Cream, 2 tbsp Powdered Sugar, 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract, 1/2 tsp Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- Mix on low to combine ingredients, then beat on high until stiff peaks are formed.
Spiced Apple Topping
- Wash, peel, core, and chop the apples into small ½” cubes. Add lemon juice and mix to coat.6 c Chopped Apples, 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Add apples to a medium saucepan and cook on medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally. Add butter.6 tbsp Salted Butter
- Once the butter has melted add the sugar, apple cider and spices. Lower the heat and stir constantly until the apples are tender and sauce has thickened. Let cool before adding to the cake.6 tbsp Apple Cider, 6 tbsp Brown Sugar, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, 1/2 tsp Allspice, 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
Notes
More Fall Recipes
Love all things autumn? 🍁 My fall section is packed with cozy bakes, spiced cocktails, and pumpkin desserts — plus a few vintage-inspired décor ideas to bring that nostalgic, old-fashioned charm into your home.
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