New England Apple Cider Cake

You don’t have to hail from the area to enjoy this New England apple cider cake recipe. One slice of this truly moist and delicious cake will fill you with glee. And even though it’s fun to share desserts with your guests, you’ll want to make two batches so you can hoard one for yourself.

I don’t remember where I got this delightful recipe. I have been making it for years.

I have modified it over time to suit my tastes; for instance, I don’t use as much glaze or frosting as this cake usually calls for. But that is a preference. In fact, I don’t often put glaze on any of my baked goods, but this apple cider glaze is so delicious that I couldn’t help drizzling some of it all over the cake.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is reducing the apple cider, which concentrates and intensifies its flavor. You add the reduction to both the batter and the glaze to create a scrumptious dessert that screams, “Fall!”

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Helpful tips

• I actually don’t mind when apples turn brownish, but for this recipe I place the sliced apples in lemon water to curb the browning.
• To reduce the apple cider, bring it to a boil, then lower to a high simmer and cook until the liquid reduces to the correct amount, which is 1/4 cup for the cake and 2 tablespoons for the glaze.
• Reduce the apple cider for the batter separately from the apple cider for the glaze in order to more easily control the finished amounts.
• I’ve used different apples in this cake but prefer Granny Smith because they hold up really well and don’t get mushy when baked.
• I use a sandwich bag for piping the glaze on this cake but if you have a pastry bag, feel free to use it.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Apple Cider – local and fresh.
• Apples – I recommend the organic Granny Smith for this cake because it stands up well and doesn’t get mushy when baked, but use what you’re most comfortable with.
• Water – I use filtered because it is purer with less contaminants.
• Lemon – juiced.
• Butter – organic and softened, so take it out of the fridge at least an hour before starting the recipe.
• Sugar – organic cane sugar but you can use white or light brown instead, if you prefer.
• Eggs – organic free-range.
• Flour – sprouted spelt flour. I love this flour and use it often, but you can also use all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder – a rising agent.
• Baking soda – another rising agent.
• Salt – helps it rise and gives it flavor.
• Half and Half – or use milk or light cream, if you prefer.
• Confectioner’s sugar – used to make the glaze.

How to make New England apple cider cake

Pre-step

Get an 9 x 9 pan, a mixing bowl and a stand mixer. Grease the pan and set aside.

Step one

Peel 2 – 3 medium to large Granny Smith apples, core them and cut into slices. Place apples in the mixing bowl, add filtered water to cover and squeeze the juice from one lemon into the water.

Get your apple cider.

You can leave the apples in the lemon water for 5 minutes. Remove from water, lay them out on a paper towel and pat them dry.

Step two

Place 3/4 cup apple cider in a saucepan and turn the heat on medium. Bring the cider to a boil, lower to a high simmer and let it reduce to 1/4 cup. It takes about 10 minutes but be sure to watch it so you don’t reduce it too much.

Step three

While the cider is reducing, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step four

Gather 1/2 stick of butter, cane sugar and 2 eggs. (A)

Step five

Place butter and sugar in the mixer and mix until creamy. Add the eggs and mix until combined. (B)

Step six

Gather flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, reduced apple cider and half & half.

Step six

Add the above ingredients to the mixer and mix until combined.

Step seven

Pour batter into the greased pan. Make sure to use a spatula to get every bit out of the mixer.

Step eight

Press apple slices in the batter and sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar on them.

Step nine

Bake for 40 – 45 minutes. All ovens are different so check the cake after 40 minutes.

Step ten

As the New England apple cider cake is baking, reduce another 3/4 cup of apple cider the same way mentioned above, but this time to measure 2 tablespoons. This took around 10 minutes. Remember to watch and check it often so you don’t reduce it too much.

Step eleven

Gather the ingredients for the glaze – reduced apple cider, confectioner’s sugar and half & half.

Step twelve

Place the confectioner’s sugar and cider in a mixing bowl and whisk together. Add 2 tablespoons of half & half and whisk until creamy. Spoon glaze in a sandwich bag, cut the corner off and squeeze the delicious glaze over the cake. Use as much or as little as you want.

Time to cut into the cake and plate a few pieces.

So delicious!

I hope you enjoyed this New England apple cider cake recipe! It will become a family favorite!

Other popular apple recipes

• Apple walnut cake
• Mini cheesecakes
• Pancakes

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!