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Cozy Apple Cider Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze

cozy apple cider cake with cinnamon cream cheese glaze - featured image
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This tender, moist apple cider cake features a concentrated apple flavor from reduced cider, warm spices, and a tangy cinnamon cream cheese glaze. It’s the perfect fall dessert that will convert even the most skeptical apple cake critics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
  • 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled and finely diced
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until reduced to about ¼ cup (10-12 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and cooled apple cider reduction until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir with a rubber spatula until just combined (about 15 strokes). Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the diced apple until evenly distributed.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Remove parchment paper and let cool completely.
  9. Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). Add sifted powdered sugar and cinnamon, beat on low until combined. Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons milk, beat on medium until smooth. Add remaining milk if needed for desired consistency.
  10. Once cake is completely cool, place on serving plate. Pour glaze over center and spread gently toward edges, letting it drip naturally.
  11. Let glaze set for 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t rush the cider reduction; it concentrates flavor and removes excess liquid. Room temperature ingredients ensure proper emulsification. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Let cake cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off. Cake tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cake, apple cake, fall dessert, cream cheese glaze, cinnamon, easy cake recipe, apple dessert

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-apple-cider-cake-with-cinnamon-cream-cheese-glaze/