Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Cake Recipe for Fall Sweetness

Autumn’s golden embrace brings a delightful apple cider cake recipe that whispers comfort with every slice.

Warm spices dance through this tender dessert, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.

Crisp apples and rich cider merge into a deeply satisfying treat that celebrates seasonal flavors.

Rustic and elegant, this cake balances sweetness with a subtle tangy undertone from the carefully selected cider.

Each bite connects you to cherished memories of harvest gatherings and cozy afternoons.

The ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a moist and memorable dessert that will become a cherished tradition.

Bake this cake and savor the pure magic of fall’s most beloved flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything in Apple Cider Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the cake, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice: Warm spices that create depth and cozy autumn flavor profile, use freshly ground for maximum aroma.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help cake rise and become light, ensure they're fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates rich, caramelized sweetness and tender crumb, select high-quality unsalted butter.
• Eggs: Provides structure and richness, use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex flavor depth, choose pure vanilla for best taste.
• Buttermilk, Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and moisture, full-fat versions create most luxurious texture.
• Apple Butter: Intensifies apple flavor and adds natural sweetness, select preservative-free version.

• Apple Cider: Concentrated reduction creates intense fruity essence, select fresh, unfiltered cider.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness to caramel sauce, use high-fat content cream.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy frosting, use full-fat, room temperature cream cheese.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure to frosting, sift to avoid lumps.

Tools for Baking Apple Cider Cake

• 9×9-inch metal baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect cake shape and size.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Large saucepan: Used for reducing apple cider and making caramel sauce.
• Medium saucepan: Perfect for preparing caramel sauce.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for mixing cake batter and frosting.
• Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or hand mixer): Crucial for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps combine dry ingredients evenly.
• Wooden spoon or skewer: Great for poking holes in the cake.
• Piping bag: Allows precise caramel sauce drizzling.
• Wire rack: Helps cake cool evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness.

Instructions for Moist Apple Cider Cake

Apple Cider Magic

• Cider Concentration Brew a rich, intense apple cider reduction by simmering liquid until it transforms into a deep, golden nectar. Let it cool completely.
• Cake Foundation Blend soft butter with sugars until they become a creamy cloud. Introduce eggs and vanilla, mixing until the batter looks silky and pale.
• Moisture Makers Fold in tangy buttermilk, creamy sour cream, and apple butter. The mixture might look slightly bumpy, but don't worry – it will smooth out beautifully.
• Dry Wonder Sprinkle in flour and warming spices. Gently combine until just incorporated, creating a batter that whispers autumn's promise.
• Oven Transformation Bake the cake until a gentle poke reveals a clean testing tool. The kitchen will fill with cozy aromas of cinnamon and apples.
• Caramel Enchantment Simmer remaining cider reduction with brown sugar and butter. Swirl in cream, creating a luxurious sauce that captures summer's final breath.
• Frosting Clouds Whip butter and cream cheese into a billowy topping. Dust with powdered sugar until it becomes light as a cloud.
• Final Touch Poke delicate holes across the cake's surface. Drizzle caramel into each opening, then crown with frosting and a golden caramel swirl.

Tips for Apple Cider Cake Success

• Adapt the recipe by using a muffin tin, reducing baking time to 18-22 minutes, and creating individual portable dessert portions perfect for gatherings.
• Prepare cake and caramel sauce separately up to two days in advance, storing covered in refrigerator and assembling just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or ginger to enhance the autumnal flavor complexity, tailoring the cake's taste to personal preferences and seasonal mood.
• Pipe cream cheese frosting using decorative tips for professional-looking presentation, or sprinkle optional toasted pecans or cinnamon over finished cake for extra visual and textural interest.

How to Serve Apple Cider Cake Warm

• Cozy Autumn Dessert Companion: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast that melts into the cake's rich caramel layers.
• Rustic Brunch Showcase: Pair with a hot mug of spiced apple cider or strong black coffee to complement the cake's deep autumn flavor profile and enhance its warm spice notes.
• Tea Time Elegance: Slice into smaller bite-sized pieces for an afternoon tea spread, garnishing with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or chopped toasted pecans for added texture and visual appeal.
• Weekend Gathering Centerpiece: Present on a beautiful wooden board with additional caramel sauce drizzled around the cake, creating an inviting dessert centerpiece that encourages sharing and conversation.

Store Apple Cider Cake Easily

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the apple cider cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Room Temperature Tip: Allow cold cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and soften the texture. The cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce will become more smooth and enjoyable when slightly warmed.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can remain fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying for best taste and texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake components separately up to 2 days in advance. Keep caramel sauce and cream cheese frosting in sealed containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the cake just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and prevent soggy texture.

Moist Apple Cider Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade apple cider cake delivers rich autumn flavors with spiced notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Moist crumb and caramel glaze make this dessert perfect for seasonal gatherings you’ll want to savor slowly.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 10 tbsps (140 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 mL) buttermilk
• ½ cup (122 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 mL) apple cider reduction
• ⅓ cup (95 g) unsweetened apple butter
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (120 mL) apple cider reduction
• ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar
• 9 tbsps (126 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Cider: Reduce apple cider in a saucepan over medium-low heat until condensed to one cup, approximately 40-50 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch metal pan with parchment paper, ensuring even greasing.
3. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
4. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugars using a mixer until achieving a light, airy texture, about two minutes. Integrate eggs and vanilla, mixing until the batter transforms to a pale, smooth consistency.
5. Liquid Integration: Fold buttermilk, sour cream, apple cider reduction, and apple butter into the mixture, ensuring comprehensive incorporation.
6. Baking Process: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake for 48-52 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.
7. Caramel Creation: Simultaneously prepare caramel sauce by combining remaining cider reduction, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Introduce cream and simmer until achieving a silky texture. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt, then cool to room temperature.
8. Frosting Preparation: Whip butter until pale, blend in cream cheese until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, whipping until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
9. Cake Assembly: Once cake has completely cooled, remove from pan using parchment paper. Create holes across the surface using a wooden spoon. Pipe caramel sauce into holes, spread cream cheese frosting generously, and drizzle remaining caramel on top, gently swirling with a spoon.
10. Serving: Slice into squares and serve, optionally adding an extra caramel drizzle for indulgence.

Notes

• Reduce Cider Carefully: Monitor apple cider reduction closely to prevent burning, stirring occasionally and ensuring it condenses to exactly one cup.
• Room Temperature Matters: Bring eggs, butter, and cream cheese to room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined to prevent a dense, tough cake.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, professional-looking decoration.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg