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Spiced Apple Cider Cake with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

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4.4 from 11 reviews

This Spiced Cider Apple Cake is a moist, tender, and flavorful layered cake featuring the warm spices of cinnamon and allspice combined with apple cider for a lovely depth. Topped with a rich browned butter cream cheese frosting infused with maple extract, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 3/4 cup apple cider (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup milk (room temperature)

For the Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 16 oz cream cheese (somewhat softened but still a bit stiff)
  • 4 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp maple extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper on the bottoms and spray the sides with a non-stick baking spray to ensure easy removal later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixer bowl, combine the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
  3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until mostly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary to incorporate all the ingredients fully.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and allspice to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Lower the mixer speed to the slowest setting and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet batter, mixing gently to avoid overmixing.
  6. Add Liquids: Pour in the apple cider and milk, and mix on low speed just until the batter becomes silky and uniform in texture.
  7. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Layers: Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the layers from the pans and place them on cooling racks to come to room temperature.
  9. Brown the Butter: For the frosting, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat in a medium-sized light-colored pan, stirring occasionally. After about 6-7 minutes and following a period of foaming, the butter will develop tiny brown specks and a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heat-proof bowl. Refrigerate until solid.
  10. Make Frosting: Once the browned butter has solidified, add it along with the softened cream cheese to the mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed until combined and creamy.
  11. Add Sugar and Salt: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in small portions. Once all sugar is incorporated, increase speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
  12. Flavor the Frosting: Add the maple extract and mix until evenly distributed and light.
  13. Assemble the Cake: Frost the completely cooled cake layers evenly with the browned butter cream cheese frosting. Slice and serve to enjoy this rich, spiced apple delight.

Notes

  • Ensure all refrigerated ingredients like eggs, milk, and apple cider are at room temperature for better batter consistency.
  • Do not overmix once the dry ingredients are added to avoid a dense cake texture.
  • The browned butter frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; bring it back to room temperature and re-whip before using.
  • Use a light-colored pan for browning butter to more easily monitor the color change.
  • Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting; allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/spiced-apple-cider-cake-with-brown-butter-frosting-recipe/