If you’re looking for a cozy fall inspired dessert then this Apple Cider Donut Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting is one for you. It combines the great flavors of Apple Cider Donuts with a moist and tender spiced cake then topped with a rich and creamy salted caramel frosting to create the perfect fall treat.
This Apple Cider Donut Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting is the perfect fall dessert. Its moist layers are made with fresh apples and reduced apple cider to give you that intense apple flavor, then combined with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to give you the warm, cozy and distinctly fall flavors that we all know and love. These cakes are then layered between a smooth and silky salted caramel buttercream for added richness and a hint of salt that balances out the sweetness in the cake. The Baked Apple Cider Donuts on top are super moist and tender and make this cake a real fall showstopper.
Why You Should Make This Cake
- Flavor: If you like those warm flavors of fall then this is the cake for you. The combination of apples with cinnamon and nutmeg brings those classic fall flavors together to create a cake that you and your guests are sure to love.
- Presentation: This cake is a real show stopper and will be sure to impress your guests.
- Perfect For Any Occasion: This cake is really versatile, whether a dessert for your Thanksgiving table, a birthday cake or a treat for a cozy fall weekend its the perfect cake for any occasion.
- Texture: The combination of moist cake, smooth and creamy buttercream frosting and those sugar coated donuts make for the perfect bite
Tips For Making Apple Cider Donut Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: It is important to have all your ingredients at room temperature. This will allow them to blend into one another smoothly.
- Apple Cider: It is important when using apple cider to reduce it first. This will add a depth of flavor. You can do this by simmering the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half.
- Do Not Over Mix Your Batter: Over mixing your batter will result in a dense tough cake rather than a light and airy cake.
- Preparation: I like to bake my cakes a day in advance so that I know they will be completely cooled and ready to decorate. Just bake and bring to room temperature. Once at room temperature, wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- Decorating Your Cakes: Your cakes must be completely cooled before decorating them. If you decorate them while they are still warm, the frosting will melt, resulting in a cake that does not look appealing.
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What You Will Need To Make This Cake
Equipment:
- Mixing Bowls: I like to have mixing bowls in a variety of sizes, this helps when preparing a recipe. I also like to use glass mixing bowls because they do not react to acidic ingredients which could change the flavor of your recipes.
- Electric Hand Mixer: This is an easy convenient way to mix your ingredients.
- 8” Round Baking Pan: I prefer one made of aluminum for even baking.
- Parchment Rounds: Pre cut parchment rounds prevent sticking and allow for easy removal.
- Large Piping Bags: I like to use a disposable piping bag to make clean up easy.
- Donut Baking Pans: If you are going to decorate your cake with the Baked Apple Cider Donuts, you will need a donut pan. I like to use ones that are sturdy and non stick so that the donuts pop right out after baking.
Ingredients:
- Flour: A good All Purpose Flour work well for this recipe.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are your leavening agents which will give your cakes rise and that light fluffy texture.
- Spices: Spices like Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg add the perfect amount of warmth to this cake.
- Butter: I like to use unsalted butter so that I can control the salt content in my cakes. You will want to leave your butter on the counter to soften. This will allow it to blend into the other ingredients smoothly.
- Sugar: This recipe class for three different types of sugar, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar and Powdered Sugar all for added sweetness and texture.
- Eggs: These are the binder in the cake giving it texture and structure.
- Apple Cider: When reduced it creates a thick apple flavored syrup, perfect for adding intense apple flavor.
- Apples: I suggest a Fuji or Gala so that they hold there shape and you get a bit of apple in every bite.
- Vanilla Extract: I always opt for pure vanilla extract for that intense vanilla flavor.
- Salted Caramel Sauce: If you do not want to go through the trouble of making your own, a store bought sauce will also work for this recipe.
- Milk: Perfect for thinning the buttercream into a smooth and creamy texture.
Decorating Your Cake
I chose to decorate this cake with Baked Apple Cider Donuts. They are soft and tender and bring another layer of apple flavor to the cake.
Apple Cider Donut Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting
Course: DessertDifficulty: Medium10
servings20
minutes40
minutesIf you’re looking for a cozy fall inspired dessert then this Apple Cider Donuts Cake. With Salted Caramel Frosting is one for you. It combines the great taste of Apple Cider Donuts into a moist and tender spice cake that is layered with a creamy salted caramel frosting then topped with sweet tender Baked Apple Cider Donuts for that extra apple flavor.
Ingredients
- For The Apple Cider Cake
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder
1/2 Teaspoons baking soda
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon salt
3/4 Cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs, at room temperature
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 Cup apple cider reduced by half
1 Apple peeled and grated
- Salted Caramel Sauce
1 Cup granulated sugar
1/2 Cup heavy whipping cream
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into cubes
1/2 Teaspoon salt
- Salted Caramel Frosting
1 Cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup salted caramel sauce
1 to 2 Tablespoons milk
Pinch of salt
Baked Apple Cider Donuts, recipe link above.
Directions
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Place the granulated sugar in a medium sized saucepan set over medium heat. Allow to cook until sugar starts to dissolve and clump together.. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, add the butter and stir continuously until completely melted. Slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream and salt and continue stirring until combined. Pour slated caramel in a glass jar and allow to cool completely before using,
- For The Apple Cider Cake
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line two 8” round baking trays with parchment paper then spray with baking spray. Set to the side.
- Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook cider until reduced by half, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and salt until combined. Set to the side.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time beating after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Add the flour to the butter mixture alternating with the reduced cider, starting and ending with the flour. Fold in grated apples until incorporated.
- Divide the batter between the two baking trays filling each one to 3/4 full. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- For The Salted Caramel Butter Cream Frosting.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until smooth. Turn the mixer off and add the powdered sugar. Turn the mixer on low and beat until the sugar is fully incorporated in the butter. Beat in the salted caramel and salt until incorporated. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed, beating after each addition until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- To Assemble The Cake
- Place one layer of cooled cakes in the center of a serving platter. Spread an even layer of Salted Caramel Frosting on top, then top with the second cake layer. Pipe the top of the cake with more frosting and if using decorate with the Baked Apple Cider Donuts.
- Enjoy.
