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Best Cozy Brown Sugar Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel

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This cozy brown sugar apple cider cake with salted caramel is the kind of recipe that feels like a hug in food form. The combination of tender, spiced cake and silky, salty-sweet caramel is unbeatable, especially in the fall.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (preferably Saigon cinnamon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered is best)
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and grated (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces (for caramel)
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar (for caramel)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (for caramel)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel)
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for caramel, plus more for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or non-stick spray, then line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves until evenly distributed (about 20 seconds). Set aside.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup packed dark brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed). Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  4. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, add about one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, then pour in half of the 1 cup apple cider. Mix until just combined. Repeat with another third of flour, the remaining cider, and finally the last of the flour. Stop mixing as soon as no white streaks remain.
  6. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the grated apple until evenly distributed.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. While the cake cools, make the salted caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup dark brown sugar, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it boil for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
  9. Once the cake is completely cool, poke a few holes in the top with a skewer or toothpick. Pour about half of the warm salted caramel over the top, letting it soak in. Spread the remaining caramel over the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top.

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter to avoid a tough cake. Grate the apple instead of chopping it for even moisture distribution. Watch the caramel carefully to prevent burning. Let the cake cool completely before adding caramel. Use a kitchen scale for more accurate flour measurement if available.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cake, brown sugar cake, salted caramel, fall dessert, apple cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/best-cozy-brown-sugar-apple-cider-cake-with-salted-caramel/