Apple Cider Cake: A Fall Dessert with Salted Caramel Buttercream

When fall flavors call, nothing satisfies quite like an Apple Cider Cake. This cozy dessert combines moist spiced cake layers, a gooey caramel apple filling, and a dreamy salted caramel buttercream that ties everything together. It’s the kind of recipe that brings apple-picking nostalgia straight to your table, perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any crisp autumn day.

Why This Apple Cider Cake Stands Out

Apple Cider Cake isn’t just another fall dessert—it’s a showstopper. The cake layers are tender and infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, echoing the comfort of apple pie. A rich caramel apple filling adds both sweetness and texture, while the salted caramel buttercream provides balance with its creamy, lightly tangy finish. This recipe transforms a classic fall ingredient into an indulgent centerpiece that appeals to both kids and adults.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Cider Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb for the cake while forming the base of the buttercream.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel-like sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind the batter and give structure to the layers.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances warmth and aroma.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake’s texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, fluffy cake layers.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Clove: Classic apple pie spices that deliver warmth.
• Apple Cider: Infuses the cake with seasonal flavor and moisture.
• Fresh Apple: Creates the gooey caramel apple filling with texture and juiciness.
• Caramel Sauce: Brings a rich, buttery sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples.
• Cream Cheese: Lightens the buttercream and balances its sweetness.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• Walnuts (optional): Add crunch and a nutty accent to garnish.

Ingredient Swaps and Alternatives

• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Apples: Use pears for a unique twist, or try Granny Smith apples for a tart balance.
• Caramel Sauce: Store-bought works in a pinch, though homemade caramel adds depth.
• Walnuts: Swap with pecans or leave them out for a nut-free version.

How to Make Apple Cider Cake Step by Step

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
4. Alternate adding the dry mixture and apple cider into the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry. Mix until smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Let cool completely.
6. For the filling, sauté apple slices in butter until just softened. Add cinnamon and caramel, simmer briefly, then cool in the fridge until thickened.
7. For the buttercream, whip softened butter until fluffy, beat in cream cheese, then slowly add confectioners’ sugar. Mix in salted caramel until smooth.
8. Assemble the cake by piping a frosting border on the first layer, filling with caramel apple mixture, and topping with the second layer. Frost the entire cake and garnish with walnuts or cinnamon sticks.

Tips for the Best Apple Cider Cake

• Always cool your caramel sauce before mixing it into frosting to avoid runny buttercream.
• Pipe a buttercream “wall” around the first cake layer to keep the apple filling from leaking out.
• Make the caramel the day before for easier assembly.
• Store the cake in the fridge due to the cream cheese frosting, but bring it to room temperature before serving.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

Apple Cider Cake pairs beautifully with hot apple cider, chai tea, or spiced lattes. For holiday gatherings, serve it alongside roasted nuts or vanilla ice cream. You can also turn this recipe into 24 cupcakes—simply dice the apples smaller for the filling and bake in muffin tins. For a festive twist, drizzle extra caramel over the frosted cake or sprinkle with candied pecans.

Seasonal Charm of Apple Cider Cake

What makes Apple Cider Cake truly special is its seasonal spirit. It captures the essence of fall—spiced warmth, crisp apples, and caramel sweetness—in every bite. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, hosting a fall birthday, or just craving cozy comfort food, this cake is a dessert that feels like autumn itself.

Conclusion

Apple Cider Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a slice of fall comfort that combines warm spices, tender cake layers, and a gooey caramel apple center topped with a luscious salted caramel buttercream. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, baking for a loved one, or simply indulging in the cozy flavors of the season, this cake guarantees to impress. Its balance of sweetness and spice makes it a timeless recipe you’ll return to year after year.

FAQs About Apple Cider Cake

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• Cardamom Cognac Apple Cake: The Perfect Fall Dessert
• Caramel Apple Cake: A Decadent Fall Dessert You’ll Crave Year-Round
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