Description
This Festive Bourbon Apple Cider Cake is a moist, spiced cake infused with reduced apple cider, pureed Honey Crisp apples, and warming autumn spices. Layered with a smooth bourbon cream cheese frosting and finished with a sweet glaze, this dessert is perfect for holiday celebrations and cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups apple cider
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (two sticks)
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 tsp allspice
- 2 Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored, and pureed
Frosting
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup plus 3 tsp bourbon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 4-5 tablespoons honey, caramel, or dulce de leche (optional)
Instructions
- Reduce apple cider: Heat the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reduces by half, yielding about 1 cup of concentrated cider.
- Prepare pans and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans to prevent sticking and prepare all ingredients for assembly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, ground cinnamon, ground clove, ground nutmeg, allspice, and baking powder until well combined.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating completely after each addition to ensure even incorporation.
- Alternate dry and wet ingredients: Mix the whole milk with vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add one-third of the flour mixture, then one-third of the milk mixture. Continue alternating between dry and wet ingredients until all are incorporated.
- Add pureed apples and cider: Stir in the pureed Honey Crisp apples and the reduced apple cider until the batter is well combined.
- Divide and bake: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, beating until incorporated and smooth.
- Flavor frosting: Add the vanilla extract and bourbon to the frosting and mix until fully combined and creamy.
- Assemble cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, frost the layers with the bourbon cream cheese frosting.
- Glaze (optional): After frosting, drizzle 4-5 tablespoons of honey, caramel, or dulce de leche over the top as a final sweet glaze to enhance flavor and appearance.
Notes
- Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor, adding depth to the cake.
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Honey Crisp apples are preferred for their sweetness and texture, but any sweet apple variety can be used.
- The glaze is optional but adds a beautiful shine and extra sweetness.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days due to the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
