Apple Cider Cake is the ultimate dessert to celebrate fall. With tender layers of apple-spiced cake, gooey caramel apple filling, and a rich salted caramel buttercream, this cake offers all the cozy flavors of autumn. Whether you’re preparing it for a birthday, holiday gathering, or a simple fall treat, this cake is sure to impress.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Cake
Apple Cider Cake is not only delicious but also a perfect reflection of fall’s best flavors. The cake’s tender texture, combined with the sweet cinnamon and nutmeg-spiced layers, makes it a crowd-pleaser. The gooey caramel apple filling brings in a burst of fall warmth, while the salted caramel buttercream gives each bite a luxurious finish. Whether served for a special occasion or as an everyday dessert, this cake will never disappoint.
Ingredients
Apple Cider Cake
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich and smooth base to the cake.
• Brown Sugar: Brings depth of sweetness and moisture to the batter.
• Eggs: Provides structure and helps the cake rise.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a subtle sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves: Adds the quintessential fall spices to the cake.
• Fresh Apple Cider: Provides moisture and an apple-forward flavor.
Caramel Apple Filling
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a silky texture to the caramel sauce.
• Apples: Peeled and thinly sliced to add a crisp, fruity bite.
• Cinnamon: Offers a warm spice to complement the apples.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: The rich, gooey center for the filling.
Salted Caramel Buttercream
• Unsalted Butter: The base of the buttercream, making it smooth and creamy.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the caramel.
• Confectioners Sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Infuses the buttercream with a rich, salted caramel flavor.
• Walnuts (optional): Adds a crunchy texture and earthy flavor to the cake’s topping.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re missing any ingredients or need to adjust for dietary preferences, here are some helpful swaps:
• Flour: Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of this Apple Cider Cake.
• Butter: Substitute with plant-based butter if you’re looking for a dairy-free option.
• Eggs: You can use flax eggs or other egg replacers if needed for a vegan version.
• Caramel Sauce: If you don’t have homemade caramel sauce, store-bought options like Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel Sauce work great.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients with Apple Cider: Alternately add the dry ingredients and fresh apple cider to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool.
- Prepare the Caramel Apple Filling: In a sauté pan, melt the butter and sauté the apple slices until soft but not mushy. Add cinnamon and the caramel sauce, bringing it to a boil. Let it cool completely in the refrigerator.
- Make the Salted Caramel Buttercream: Beat the softened butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, then beat in the salted caramel sauce. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first cake layer on a serving platter, pipe a wall of frosting around the edge, and fill with the caramel apple mixture. Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the salted caramel buttercream. Optionally, add crushed walnuts for extra texture.
Tips & Tricks
• Texture Tip: Make sure your caramel sauce is cool before adding it to the buttercream. Hot caramel can cause the frosting to become too runny.
• Serving Tip: Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for an hour before serving for the best texture.
• Leftover Storage: Since the frosting contains cream cheese, store the cake in the refrigerator and bring it back to room temperature before serving.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Apple Cider Cake pairs beautifully with a warm cup of spiced chai or a cold glass of apple cider. For a fun twist, try adding a drizzle of extra salted caramel sauce on top or a dusting of cinnamon sugar. If you’re hosting a fall gathering, this cake is sure to be the star of your dessert table.
Make-Ahead Tip:
You can prepare the cake layers and caramel filling ahead of time. Simply store the cake layers in an airtight container at room temperature and refrigerate the caramel filling and frosting until you’re ready to assemble.
Health Benefits and Seasonal Appeal
Not only does this cake embrace the rich flavors of fall, but it also offers a nostalgic touch with apple cider and cinnamon spices. Apples provide essential vitamins and fiber, making this cake a seasonal indulgence that brings both joy and a little nutrition.
Conclusion
Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream is the perfect autumn treat, offering a delightful balance of flavors that capture the essence of fall. With its tender apple-spiced cake, gooey caramel apple filling, and indulgent salted caramel buttercream, it’s sure to become a seasonal favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a fall birthday, a holiday, or simply craving a slice of comfort, this cake delivers both sweetness and warmth in every bite.
Make sure to share it with family and friends, and enjoy the rich flavors of autumn with every forkful!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce for the filling and frosting?
Yes, you can use store-bought salted caramel sauce for both the caramel apple filling and the buttercream. However, homemade caramel adds a richer, deeper flavor to the cake. If you’re short on time, store-bought versions like Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel Sauce work wonderfully.
2. How do I store leftovers of Apple Cider Cake?
Since this cake contains cream cheese in the frosting, it’s best to store leftovers in the refrigerator. Simply cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. When ready to serve, allow the cake to come to room temperature for the best texture.
3. Can I make this recipe as cupcakes instead of a cake?
Absolutely! This Apple Cider Cake recipe can be transformed into cupcakes. Simply bake the batter in a cupcake tin for around 18–20 minutes. For the filling, chop the apples into smaller pieces and stuff them inside the cupcakes. Frost them with the salted caramel buttercream as usual.
4. How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to maintain the texture and flavor of the cake. Other ingredients in the recipe, such as the caramel sauce and frosting, are naturally gluten-free.
More Relevant Recipes
- Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls with Lemon Glaze: These sweet and tangy cinnamon rolls with raspberry filling and a refreshing lemon glaze provide a similar warmth and comfort as the Apple Cider Cake. The fruity touch offers a light but satisfying twist for fall mornings or gatherings.
- Baked Apple Fritter Bites: A bite-sized version of a classic apple fritter, these baked delights are perfect for fall, bringing together the flavors of apple, cinnamon, and a light glaze that mimics the sweetness and spiced appeal of the Apple Cider Cake.
- Cozy Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Bowl: This warm and comforting oatmeal is made with apples, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetness, making it the perfect breakfast companion to the Apple Cider Cake. Its soothing flavors and fall spices mirror the cake’s essence, perfect for a cozy start to the day.
Apple Cider Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream is a perfect fall dessert, combining the flavors of tender apple-spiced cake, gooey caramel apple filling, and rich salted caramel buttercream. It’s a festive treat that brings all the warming flavors of autumn together.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ⅓ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
- 1 ½ cups fresh apple cider
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 apple (peeled and thinly sliced)
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- ¾ cup Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour two 8-inch round pans.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Whisk until combined and set aside.
- Cream together butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl on medium speed. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing on medium speed for 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and apple cider, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until incorporated, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- For the caramel apple filling, sauté apple slices in butter until soft, about 2 minutes. Add cinnamon and caramel sauce. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
- For the buttercream, cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners sugar, then beat in salted caramel sauce and mix until smooth.
- To assemble, pipe a wall of frosting around the first cake layer, fill with the cooled caramel apple filling, and top with the second layer. Frost the cake with remaining salted caramel buttercream.
- Top with crushed walnuts if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Make sure the caramel is at room temperature before adding it to the buttercream.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- If making the caramel sauce from scratch, prepare it the day before to ensure it cools to room temperature.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese in the frosting. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 1018 kcal
- Sugar: 70g
- Sodium: 611mg
- Fat: 58g
- Saturated Fat: 32g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 121g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 194mg