Get ready to indulge in the most amazing apple cider cake ever! This cake is bursting with apple flavor and is unbelievably moist, thanks to a heavenly apple cider caramel filling. Topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and a swirl of more apple cider caramel, this cake is a dream come true for apple cider enthusiasts!
Why this apple cake is a must-try:
- It’s packed with delicious apple goodness and warm spices. Made with apple butter and a reduction of apple cider, every bite is infused with rich apple flavor. Plus, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice add cozy fall vibes to the cake.
- Prepare for a soft and moist cake that practically melts in your mouth. The secret? Buttermilk and sour cream work their magic to keep this cake incredibly tender.
- Cream cheese frosting takes this cake to a whole new level of yumminess. With each forkful, you’ll experience the perfect balance of sweet cake and creamy frosting.
- The homemade apple cider caramel sauce takes this cake to the next level. It’s like a caramel-filled apple wonderland in every bite!
- And the best part? This cake is completely homemade, from the batter to the frosting. No shortcuts here – just pure homemade goodness!
Apple Cider Cake
Ingredients
For the Apple Cider Reduction:
- – 6 cups apple cider
For the Apple Cider Cake:
- – 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- – 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- – 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- – ¼ teaspoon allspice
- – 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- – ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- – ½ teaspoon salt
- – 10 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- – 1 cup granulated white sugar
- – ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- – 3 eggs at room temperature
- – 1 tablespoon vanilla
- – ½ cup buttermilk at room temperature
- – ½ cup apple cider reduction at room temperature
- – ⅓ cup unsweetened apple butter at room temperature
For the Apple Cider Caramel:
- – ½ cup apple cider reduction at room temperature
- – ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- – 9 tablespoons unsalted butter
- – 1 cup heavy cream
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla
- – ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- – 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- – 8 oz cream cheese cold
- – 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Apple Cider Reduction:
- – In a large saucepan, simmer 6 cups of apple cider over medium-low heat for 40-50 minutes until reduced to 1 cup. Let it cool completely before using.
For the Apple Cider Cake:
- – Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- – In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- – In a large bowl, cream together sugars and butter until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- – Mix in buttermilk, apple cider reduction, and apple butter. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- – Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 48-52 minutes. Let it cool completely.
For the Apple Cider Caramel:
- – In a saucepan, combine apple cider reduction, brown sugar, and butter. Simmer for 5 minutes, then mix in cream. Simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla and salt. Let it cool to room temperature.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- – Whip butter until pale and fluffy. Add cream cheese and mix until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy.
Assembling the Cake:
- – Poke holes in the cooled cake and fill them with apple cider caramel. Frost the cake with cream cheese frosting, drizzle with caramel, and swirl with a spoon. Cut into squares and enjoy!