This Apple Cider Cake is a cozy treat, bursting with sweet apple flavor and a hint of cinnamon. It’s super moist and perfect for fall celebrations.
Honestly, just the smell while it bakes is enough to make your mouth water! I love enjoying a warm slice with a cup of coffee—talk about a perfect afternoon pick-me-up!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: A key base for the cake, but if needed, consider using a gluten-free flour blend. It’ll still hold together beautifully!
Butter: Unsalted butter brings moisture and richness. If you’re looking to lighten it up, you could use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
Apple Cider: Fresh apple cider enhances flavor. As a substitute, you can use unsweetened applesauce mixed with a bit of water. It’s not exactly the same, but it’ll still work nicely!
Apples: Granny Smith offers great tartness but feel free to use Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples for added sweetness. Mix it up for different flavor profiles.
How Do I Ensure My Cake Turns Out Moist and Fluffy?
Getting a moist and fluffy cake comes down to a few important steps. Proper mixing and ingredient handling are key! Here’s how:
- Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this incorporates air that helps the cake rise.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, to ensure everything blends smoothly and evenly.
- When adding the flour and cider mixtures, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
- Pressing the apples into the batter helps them stay in place while providing moisture as they bake.
Apple Cider Cake Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Apples:
- 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- Optional Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp apple cider or milk
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Apple Cider Cake will take about 15 minutes to prep and 50-60 minutes to bake. Be sure to let it cool afterward for at least 15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. In total, you’re looking at about an hour and 30 minutes before you can enjoy a slice!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, take your bundt pan or tube pan and grease and flour it. This ensures easy release after baking!
2. Whisk the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set this mix aside for later use.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Do this for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract until everything is nicely mixed.
5. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a small bowl, mix the apple cider and apple cider vinegar together. This adds a wonderful tangy flavor!
6. Combine Everything:
Now, alternately add the flour mixture and the apple cider mixture to the butter mixture. Start and end with the flour mixture, and stir just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as we want to keep the cake light and fluffy!
7. Add Apples:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Take the sliced apples and arrange them on top, gently pressing them into the batter so they sink in just a little.
8. Bake:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the Cake:
Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. After that, invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Prepare the Glaze (optional):
If you’d like to drizzle glaze over the cake, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider or milk in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle this over the cooled cake.
11. Slice and Serve:
Your Apple Cider Cake is now ready to enjoy! Slice it up and serve it up with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a perfect combination. Enjoy those lovely warm apple and cinnamon flavors!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness, feel free to experiment with Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples for a sweeter flavor. Mixing different types can add complexity!
How Should I Store Leftover Cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 2 months. Just wrap it well to prevent freezer burn!
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it includes xanthan gum for the best texture. The flavor will still be delicious!
How Can I Add More Flavor to the Cake?
For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of lemon zest or chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) to the batter before baking. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg on the apples for an added kick.