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.
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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
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!

New England Apple Cider Cake
Ingredients
- .75 cup apple cider
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (2 or 3 – peeled, cored and cut into slices)
- water (to cover cut up apples)
- 1 Juice from one lemon
- 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
- .75 cup sugar (cane)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- .50 teaspoon baking soda
- .25 teaspoon salt
- .25 cup half & half
- 2 cups spelt flour (or all-purpose)
To Sprinkle On Top
- .25 teaspoon cinnamon
- .25 teaspoon sugar
Glaze
- .75 cup apple cider
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons half & half (add more if needed)
Instructions
- Liberally grease a 9 x 9 pan and set aside
- Place 3/4 cup apple cider in a saucepan and turn heat to medium. Bring to a boil and then lower to a very high simmer until the cider reduces to 1/4 cup. This should take around 10 minutes
- Place sliced apples in a glass bowl, cover with filtered water and squeeze the juice of one lemon into the water. Let apples soak for 5 minutes. Remove from water and lay slices on a paper towel. Pat dry and set aside
- Place butter and sugar in a mixer and mix until creamy
- Add eggs and beat until just mixed
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, reduced apple cider, and half & half. Beat until just mixed
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Use a spatula to transfer the cake batter to the 9 x 9 pan and stick each apple slice into the batter. In a small bowl mix the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle it over the apples
- Bake for 40 minutes. Test at that point and if they aren't done, place in there for 5 more minutes. Place on a wire rack when done and let cool for 15 minutes before adding the glaze
- As the cake is baking, reduce another 3/4 cup of apple cider to 2 tablespoons. (Follow the directions above)
To make the glaze
- Add confectioner's sugar and reduced apple cider and mix with a whisk. It will be thick so add 2 tablespoons half & half and whisk until creamy
- Spoon glaze into a sandwich baggie and cut the corner off of it. Drizzle glaze over the cake and let set
- Cut a piece
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
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Notes
- 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, you heat it to a boil, then turn down the heat to a high simmer until it reduces to the correct amount – 1/4 cup for the cake and 2 tablespoons for the glaze.
- I always reduce the apple cider for the batter and glaze separately because I can control the amounts easily.
- I’ve used different apples in this cake but prefer Granny Smith because they hold up really well and don’t get mushy.
- I use a sandwich bag for piping the glaze on this cake but if you have a pastry bag, feel free to use it.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
This New England apple cider cake was absolutely delicious! It’s the kind of cakes I like to eat, not too sweet, perfectly balanced between the amount of batter and fruit. Love it!
Thanks so much Nicoletta! That’s what I love about it too!
Cannot rate this recipe as to taste at this point. Unfortunately the instructions are quite confusing. Have my 2nd one in the oven. Threw out the first, as although it is listed in the ingredients, the reduced apple cider for the batter is not included in the directions and I forgot to add it before baking.
Also, in the printable list of ingredients, you note 1 egg. Your pictures show 2. After checking other similar recipes I added 2 eggs.
Will correct my rating once the 2nd cake is baked and tasted.
So sorry Chris. I just looked at it and yes, it was confusing. Even though I read the post over and over and then send it to hubby who also reads everything over, we still miss things. Usually glaringly obvious things. Thanks so much for pointing it out to me. I just fixed the recipe to reflect the changes.
Thank you for the quick response and corrections. Everyone did love the cake. Served it with vanilla ice cream.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear Chris! Thanks for giving it a try even with the mistakes. 🙂
That was soooo good! I may just have to make it again for next weekend I am sure my friends will love it with some ice cream. Yummo!
Thank you, Megan. Yes, it’s delicious with ice cream, for sure!
Love this recipe Elaine!! It’s like everything I love about apple pie and the holidays baked into one delicious cake! 🙂
Hehe. So true Anjali! Thank you for your comment!
The cake and glaze were absolutely delicious! This is the perfect fall treat!
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
Good grief! This cake was amazing! Where do I start!?! I am loving the flavors and that drizzle on the top… simply delicious!
Thank you so much Jess!
Love this recipe, not too sweet and pretty straight forward to make too. Will be making again, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Carrie! I am glad you enjoyed it!
I had apple cider in the fridge that needs using up. I stumbled upon this recipe, and I’m so glad I made it! This was AMAZING!
Thanks so much Kelly!
I never baked with apple cider – and it was fun and easy!! These were perfect and the instructions were super easy to follow!!!
Thanks Aline. I appreciate it.
I love the flavor of apple cider in my recipes. Especially in doughnuts and cakes. Never tried New England apple cider cake, so I made it and man, it was delicious!
Thanks so much Jo! I love cider in baked goods too.