This Apple Cider Cake is a warm, spiced treat that captures the cozy flavors of fall. It’s moist and loaded with sweet apple goodness, perfect for any gathering!
One slice of this cake will have you thinking of autumn leaves and apple picking. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and keep the family happy. 🍏🍰
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of the cake. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, you can swap it for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I find that using a blend like Bob’s Red Mill works best.
Apple Cider: Fresh apple cider adds great flavor. If you can’t find it, you can use apple juice, but the flavor will be milder. I love using homemade cider when I can—it’s just more fragrant!
Apples: Honeycrisp and Gala apples are great choices for their sweetness and firmness. If you want a tangier kick, try Granny Smith. I often mix different apple varieties in my cake for a more complex flavor.
Buttermilk: This keeps the cake moist and tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, mixing regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice works just as well. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before adding it to your batter.
How Do You Achieve a Moist and Tender Cake?
To get a cake that’s both moist and tender, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough texture. When you alternate adding your flour mixture and your wet ingredients, mix just until everything is combined.
- Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature. This will help it cream better with the sugar.
- Beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, which adds air to the batter.
- Don’t skip letting the cake cool for a bit in the pan. This helps it set properly before transferring to a rack.
How to Make Apple Cider Cake
Ingredients List
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider (fresh or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp granulated or turbinado sugar (for topping)
Time Needed
This apple cider cake takes about 15 minutes to prep and 45-55 minutes to bake. Don’t forget about the cooling time of 15 minutes before enjoying it. So, in total, you’ll need around 1 hour and 15 minutes to make this delicious cake!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, or you can line it with parchment paper to make removing the cake easier later.
2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This will ensure that your spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed. Set this bowl aside for now.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this; it should take about 2-3 minutes. This is where you add air to the mixture, helping your cake to be light and tender!
4. Adding Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Then stir in the vanilla extract. This creates a rich and flavorful base for your cake.
5. Combining with Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to bring it all together! Alternately add the flour mixture and the apple cider/buttermilk (which you should mix together first) to the butter mixture. Start and finish with the flour mixture—this helps with mixing. Just stir until everything is combined; be careful not to overmix!
6. Preparing for Baking:
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Now, take your prepared apple slices and arrange them on top of the batter. You can make it look pretty by overlapping the slices or placing them in a pattern. Gently press them into the batter.
7. Topping with Sugar:
Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of granulated or turbinado sugar evenly over the apple slices. This will create a nice sweet crust as it bakes.
8. Baking the Cake:
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes. Check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
9. Cooling and Serving:
Once it’s baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, you can dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle it with a simple glaze or caramel sauce.
Enjoy your moist and warmly spiced Apple Cider Cake that perfectly showcases fresh apples and autumn flavors!
Can I Use a Different Sweetener?
Absolutely! You can substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar for a richer flavor, or use maple syrup or honey. Just remember that liquid sweeteners may alter the moisture content, so adjust the other liquids in the recipe accordingly.
Can I Prepare This Cake in Advance?
Yes, you can! You can bake the cake up to 2 days in advance. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it at room temperature or in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before serving for that fresh-baked taste!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Leftover apple cider cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying!
Can I Add Nuts or Other Mix-Ins?
Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans are a great addition if you like a bit of crunch. You can fold in about half a cup of nuts or even add raisins or dried cranberries for extra flavor and texture. Just be sure to adjust the baking time slightly if you add a lot of mix-ins!
