This Spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake is a delightful addition to your collection of apple cake recipes, offering a perfect blend of cozy spices and tender apple. You’ll love making this moist, flavorful cake that’s surprisingly easy for any baker to master.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Apples: Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture. You can substitute with other baking apples.
- Apple Cider: Unsweetened apple cider is crucial for flavor. Do not substitute with apple juice, as it’s too sweet.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice create the signature “spiced” flavor. Feel free to adjust to your taste.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tenderness. You can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup unsweetened apple cider
- 2 cups finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple cider
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
- Servings: 12-16 slices
- Tools Needed: Bundt pan, mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Bundt Pan and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 10-12 cup Bundt pan, ensuring every crevice is covered to prevent sticking. This is a crucial step for any apple cake recipes.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Set this aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a whisk, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk and apple cider. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
6. Fold in Apples
Gently fold the finely diced apples into the cake batter. Your batter for this delicious apple cake is now ready.
7. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Glaze
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. Once cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider, and cinnamon for the glaze and drizzle it over the top of the cake.
Variation Ideas:
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch.
- Dust with powdered sugar instead of a glaze for a simpler presentation.
- Serve slices warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Storage Instructions:
Store your Spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you prefer, you can also freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider? No, apple juice is much sweeter and will alter the flavor profile significantly. Stick with unsweetened apple cider.
- What kind of apples are best for this apple cake? Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and provide good flavor.
- My Bundt cake stuck to the pan, what went wrong? You likely didn’t grease and flour the pan thoroughly enough. Ensure every crevice is coated.
- Can I make this as cupcakes? Yes, you can, but adjust the baking time. Cupcakes will typically bake for 18-22 minutes.
- How do I know when the cake is done? Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Can I make the glaze thicker or thinner? Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or a tiny bit more apple cider for a thinner one.