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Cozy Apple Cider Cake with Easy Brown Butter Glaze

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This incredibly moist apple cider cake is infused with warm spices and topped with a nutty brown butter glaze. It’s the perfect cozy dessert for fall, made with simple ingredients and no mixer required.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider (for glaze, or milk for milder flavor)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • Pinch of salt (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for about 20 seconds. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with apple cider: start with 1/3 flour mixture, mix until just combined, then add half the cider. Repeat with another 1/3 flour, remaining cider, and finish with last 1/3 flour. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan gently on counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes, then invert onto rack, remove parchment, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
  8. For glaze: In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Swirl pan occasionally until butter foams, turns golden, then develops brown specks and smells nutty (about 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl.
  9. Let brown butter cool for 2 minutes. Whisk in sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until smooth. Add remaining tablespoon of cider if too thick.
  10. Pour glaze over completely cooled cake, spreading to edges and letting some drip down sides. Let set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use fresh apple cider (not apple juice) for best flavor. Brown butter for glaze carefully—it burns quickly. Let cake cool completely before glazing to maintain glossy top. Cake tastes even better the next day. For gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and non-dairy milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cake, brown butter glaze, fall dessert, apple cake, cozy cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/cozy-apple-cider-cake-with-easy-brown-butter-glaze-recipe/