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Cozy Apple Cider Caramel Cake with Easy Salted Caramel Drizzle

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A tender, moist apple cider cake with a concentrated apple flavor, topped with a homemade salted caramel drizzle. This fall dessert is a nostalgic time machine disguised as a cake, perfect for sweater weather and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
  • For the salted caramel drizzle:
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let it bubble until reduced to about ½ cup (120 ml), roughly 15-20 minutes, until syrupy. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. Preheat and prep the pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch bundt pan generously with softened butter, then dust with flour. Tap out excess.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Set aside.
  4. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat ½ cup softened unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup packed light brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  5. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in 2 room-temperature eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add ¼ cup vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  6. Alternate the dry and wet: With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with ½ cup buttermilk. Start and end with the flour. Mix just until combined.
  7. Fold in the reduced cider: Gently fold the cooled cider reduction into the batter with a rubber spatula. Do not overmix.
  8. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
  9. Cool in the pan: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then invert it onto the rack and let it cool completely, about 1 hour.
  10. Make the salted caramel drizzle: In a clean, dry saucepan, heat 1 cup granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a dry whisk. The sugar will clump, then melt into a deep amber liquid. Once fully melted and reaches 350°F (175°C) on a candy thermometer, remove from heat. Immediately whisk in 6 tablespoons of butter (it will bubble vigorously). Then slowly stream in ½ cup heavy cream while whisking constantly. Stir in 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt. Let cool for 5-10 minutes until thi…
  11. Drizzle and serve: Place the cooled cake on a serving plate. Slowly pour the salted caramel over the top, letting it cascade down the sides. Sprinkle with extra flaky salt if desired. Slice and serve.

Notes

Don’t rush the cider reduction; low and slow prevents scorching. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth batter. Watch the caramel carefully—it goes from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Let the cake cool completely before drizzling to prevent the caramel from sliding off. For clean slices, use a serrated knife and wipe the blade between cuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cake, caramel cake, salted caramel, fall dessert, bundt cake, apple cake, autumn baking

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/cozy-apple-cider-caramel-cake-with-easy-salted-caramel-drizzle/