The Coziest Apple Cider Cake Recipe for Fall Baking Magic

Sweet apple cider revamps ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences that dance with autumnal warmth.

Robust flavors emerge when carefully selected ingredients mingle in a harmonious blend of comfort and nostalgia.

Home bakers appreciate how this delightful treat captures seasonal essence through carefully balanced spices and natural fruit notes.

Every slice promises a moist, tender crumb that whispers memories of crisp orchard afternoons.

Fragrant kitchen aromas will enchant family and friends, creating moments of shared joy around your baking masterpiece.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe welcomes both novice and experienced cooks into its delicious embrace.

Rich with deep cultural connections and rustic charm, apple cider cake represents more than just a dessert.

Best Drinks and Sides for Apple Cider Cake

• Pair with Spiced Warm Cider: Complement the cake's rich apple and spice flavors by serving a hot mulled apple cider alongside. The warm beverage echoes the cake's aromatic notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream next to each slice. The cold, smooth vanilla perfectly balances the cake's warm spices and cuts through the caramel's sweetness, offering a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Enjoy with Aged Bourbon: For adult gatherings, pour a small glass of smooth, caramel-noted bourbon. The whiskey's oak and vanilla undertones beautifully complement the cake's apple cider reduction and caramel sauce, enhancing the dessert's complex flavor profile.
• Accompany with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream dusted with ground cinnamon. This light, airy topping adds an extra layer of spice and provides a silky texture that melts into the warm cake.

Fun Ways to Customize Your Apple Cider Cake

• Rustic Orchard Spice Cake: Replace apple butter with pear butter and add chopped walnuts to the batter for a hearty woodland-inspired version.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Swap half the apple cider reduction with maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to the caramel sauce for a rich, deep flavor profile.
• Autumn Harvest Cake: Mix in finely diced fresh apples to the batter and top with candied pecans for extra texture and a seasonal touch.
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hybrid: Layer the cake with thin slices of caramelized apples between cream cheese frosting for an indulgent dessert experience.

Why Everyone’s Loving This Apple Cider Cake

• Burst with Autumn Essence: Packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake captures the cozy, comforting flavors of fall in every delectable bite.
• Elevate with Intense Apple Reduction: The concentrated apple cider reduction creates a deep, rich flavor profile that infuses the cake and caramel sauce with an incredible intensity of apple goodness.
• Master a Decadent Layered Experience: The ingenious technique of poking holes and filling them with caramel sauce, topped with luxurious cream cheese frosting, transforms a simple cake into a stunning, multi-dimensional dessert that delivers surprising bursts of sweetness in every slice.

What Goes into a Moist Apple Cider Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's texture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice: Warm spices that add depth and autumn-inspired flavor.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for cake's rise and lightness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create a rich, tender cake base with deep caramel notes.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor to the cake.
• Buttermilk, Sour Cream: Contribute tanginess and create a moist, tender crumb.
• Apple Butter: Intense apple flavor and extra moisture.

• Apple Cider: Concentrated reduction provides intense apple flavor throughout the recipe.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness to caramel sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth frosting with perfect consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cream cheese frosting.

How to Bake Apple Cider Cake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Craft Apple Cider Reduction

Grab a large saucepan and pour in apple cider. Simmer the liquid over medium-low heat for 40-50 minutes until it transforms into a concentrated cup of pure apple magic. Let it cool completely. This reduction will be the secret weapon for both cake and caramel.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×9-inch metal pan and show it some love with grease and parchment paper.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this flavor-packed mixture aside.

Step 4: Create Cake Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip on high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing for another minute until smooth.

Step 5: Blend Wet Ingredients

Combine buttermilk, sour cream, apple cider reduction, and apple butter. Mix until everything looks harmonious. Don’t worry if it looks slightly curdled- that’s totally normal!

Step 6: Bring Cake Batter Together

Slowly fold in dry ingredients, mixing gently. Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 48-52 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Whip Up Caramel Sauce

• Remaining apple cider reduction
• Brown sugar
• Butter

Simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream and continue simmering for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.

Step 8: Create Cream Cheese Frosting

Whip softened butter until fluffy. Add cold cream cheese and mix until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, whipping until light and dreamy.

Step 9: Assemble Cake Masterpiece

Once cake is completely cool, remove from pan. Poke holes across the top. Pipe caramel sauce into those holes. Spread cream cheese frosting generously. Drizzle remaining caramel and create beautiful swirls.

Step 10: Serve and Celebrate

Slice into 16 delightful squares. Serve with an extra drizzle of caramel.

Apple Cider Cake Tips for a Tender Crumb

• Reduce Cider Carefully: Watch the apple cider reduction closely to prevent burning, stirring occasionally and using medium-low heat for even concentration.
• Prevent Cake Dryness: Ensure all ingredients are room temperature and don't overmix the batter to maintain a moist, tender crumb.
• Master Caramel Technique: Stir the caramel sauce continuously to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth, glossy consistency.
• Check Cake Doneness Precisely: Use the toothpick test, inserting it into the center and looking for just a few moist crumbs for perfect texture.
• Create Holes Strategically: Use a wooden spoon or skewer to make even holes across the cake, allowing caramel to distribute evenly for maximum flavor absorption.

Storing and Reheating Apple Cider Cake the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cake slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For best texture, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying to restore moisture and softness.

Apple Cider Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm Apple Cider Cake brings autumn’s golden essence to your table, blending comforting spices with sweet orchard memories. Each slice promises a rich, moist journey through seasonal delights you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Creamy Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
• ½ cup (122 g) sour cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) apple cider reduction
• ⅓ cup (95 g) unsweetened apple butter

Apple Cider Caramel Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) apple cider reduction
• ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar
• 9 tablespoons (126 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter
• 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese

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Instructions

1. Create the apple cider reduction by simmering apple cider in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until it condenses to one cup, approximately 40-50 minutes. Allow the reduction to cool completely.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9-inch metal pan by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
3. Combine all dry ingredients – flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Cream butter and sugars using a mixer until light and fluffy, approximately two minutes.
5. Incorporate eggs and vanilla, mixing until the batter becomes pale and smooth.
6. Blend buttermilk, sour cream, apple cider reduction, and apple butter into the mixture until well combined.
7. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated.
8. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 48-52 minutes, or until a toothpick emerges clean.
9. While the cake bakes, prepare the caramel sauce by combining remaining apple cider reduction, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan.
10. Simmer the caramel mixture, then introduce cream and continue cooking until it reaches a smooth consistency.
11. Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla and salt, then allow to cool to room temperature.
12. Whip butter until pale, then incorporate cream cheese and mix until creamy.
13. Gradually add powdered sugar, whipping until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
14. After the cake has completely cooled, remove from the pan using parchment paper.
15. Create holes across the cake’s surface using a wooden spoon or skewer.
16. Pipe caramel sauce into the created holes.
17. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the cake.
18. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce on top and gently swirl with a spoon.
19. Slice into squares and serve with an optional extra caramel drizzle.

Notes

• Concentrate on slow-simmering apple cider to create a rich, concentrated flavor base that transforms the entire cake’s taste profile.
• Ensure precise measurements for dry ingredients to maintain the cake’s perfect texture and prevent a dense or crumbly result.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to help them blend smoothly and create a more uniform cake batter.
• Allow cake to cool completely before frosting and adding caramel sauce to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.
• Create deep holes in the cake for caramel absorption, ensuring each bite delivers maximum apple cider and caramel flavor.
• Refrigerate leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days, letting flavors continue to develop and intensify over time.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 55 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg