Sweet, spiced, and irresistibly cozy, this Apple Cider Cake brings all the warmth of autumn into every bite. With tender apple cider-infused layers, gooey caramel apple filling, and a cloud-like salted caramel buttercream, it’s a dessert that screams comfort. Whether you’re celebrating a fall birthday or just craving the ultimate apple dessert, this cake is as delicious as it is beautiful.
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Why This Apple Cider Cake is an Autumn Favorite
This Apple Cider Cake captures the essence of fall in every layer. Made with fresh apple cider and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, it offers more than just sweetness—it delivers nostalgic flavors reminiscent of apple pie and cozy evenings.
The real star, though, is the combination of textures: soft cake layers, crisp-tender caramel apples, and a fluffy salted caramel buttercream that’s tangy from cream cheese and not overly sweet. Every forkful is perfectly balanced.
What makes it even better? It’s:
- Easy to prepare with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Family-friendly and great for gatherings or holidays
- Customizable with dietary swaps or cupcake conversions
- Make-ahead friendly for stress-free entertaining
Key Ingredients That Make the Magic
• Apple Cider: Infuses deep apple flavor and natural sweetness
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cake layers
• Brown Sugar: Enhances moisture and adds a caramel-like depth
• Butter: Ensures richness in both cake and frosting
• Eggs: Bind everything and help with lift
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Add signature fall spice warmth
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile
• Cream Cheese: Adds tang and stability to the buttercream
• Salted Caramel Sauce: The heart of the filling and frosting — sweet, salty, and luxurious
• Apples (peeled & sliced): Offer crisp texture and natural fruitiness in the filling
• Confectioners Sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the frosting
• Optional Walnuts: Add crunch and earthy balance to the soft textures
Smart Swaps and Substitutes
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Swap cup-for-cup for a gluten-free version
- Vegan Butter & Egg Replacer: For dairy-free or vegan diets
- Store-Bought Caramel Sauce: If short on time, use a high-quality jarred caramel
- Chopped Pecans: A flavorful alternative to walnuts
- Apple Pie Spice: A quick sub if you don’t have separate spices
- Cupcakes: Turn the recipe into 24 cupcakes—just dice apples smaller for the filling
How to Make Apple Cider Cake: Step-by-Step
- Preheat & Prep: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Alternate adding the dry mixture and apple cider in 3 additions, beginning and ending with the dry.
- Bake: Divide batter between pans and bake for 25–28 minutes. A toothpick should come out with just a few crumbs.
- Prepare Filling: In a pan, sauté sliced apples in butter for 2 minutes. Add cinnamon and caramel sauce. Simmer, then chill until thick.
- Make the Frosting: Beat butter until pale, then add cream cheese and mix until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar, then beat in salted caramel sauce.
- Assemble the Cake: Pipe a buttercream wall around the bottom layer. Spoon in the caramel apple filling. Top with the second layer.
- Frost & Decorate: Frost the cake completely. Optionally, press crushed walnuts around the base and garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Apple Cider Cake
- Cool Caramel Completely: Never add warm caramel to the buttercream—make it the night before if needed.
- Double the Buttercream Ring: When layering, double-pipe a wall to keep the filling from spilling out.
- Use Fresh Apple Cider: Avoid apple juice—cider is more robust and flavorful.
- Room Temp Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are all at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Chill to Set: Store cake in the fridge due to the cream cheese, but let it sit at room temp for an hour before serving for best flavor.
Creative Twists and Perfect Pairings
- Serve With: Spiced chai tea, mulled cider, or cinnamon hot chocolate
- Add Toppings: Drizzle with extra caramel, or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
- Make Ahead: Assemble a day in advance and refrigerate—flavors meld even better
- Transform Into Cupcakes: Yields about 24; stuff with diced filling and top with piped frosting
- Go Nut-Free: Omit nuts entirely or use sunflower seeds for crunch without allergens
- Mini Loaves: Bake in mini loaf pans for gifts or brunch treats
Why Apple Cider Cake Belongs in Your Fall Rotation
Beyond just being a pretty dessert, this Apple Cider Cake delivers real flavor. It’s not overly sweet, and the richness of apple cider, spice, and salted caramel is deeply satisfying. It’s a perfect showcase for fall’s favorite fruit and proves that homemade cake can be both stunning and comforting.
Whether for Thanksgiving dessert, a Halloween party, or simply an autumn afternoon indulgence, this Apple Cider Cake checks every box: texture, flavor, visual appeal, and that crave-worthy fall aroma.
Ready to bake this show-stopper? Grab your apple cider, whip up that silky salted caramel, and let the flavors of fall shine in every bite of this Apple Cider Cake.
A Sweet Ending to Fall’s Favorite Dessert
If you’re searching for the ultimate fall cake, Apple Cider Cake with salted caramel buttercream is the answer. It’s elegant enough for celebrations, cozy enough for casual gatherings, and easy enough for home bakers to pull off with confidence. From the aromatic apple cider layers to the luscious caramel apple filling and buttery frosting, this cake delivers both flavor and nostalgia in every slice.
So whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or just a fall weekend treat, this Apple Cider Cake will quickly become a seasonal tradition. Let your kitchen smell like a crisp orchard, and your table be the coziest spot this autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cider Cake
Can I make this Apple Cider Cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers and prepare the caramel filling a day ahead. Assemble and frost the cake the day you plan to serve. The frosting sets best when chilled slightly, and the flavors actually deepen overnight.
What’s the best apple cider to use in the cake?
Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the most intense apple flavor. Avoid apple juice, which lacks the rich, tart notes that cider offers. If possible, go for a locally sourced or cold-pressed variety for best results.
Can I substitute the salted caramel buttercream with another frosting?
While the salted caramel buttercream complements the apple flavors perfectly, you could use a vanilla cream cheese frosting or even a maple buttercream for a different but still seasonal twist. Just make sure the texture is thick enough to hold the filling in place.
More Relevant Recipes
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Apple Cider Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings 1x
Description
Two-layer apple cider cake full of warming fall spices, filled with gooey caramel apple and topped with a fluffy salted caramel buttercream. A decadent and festive dessert that combines the flavors of apple pie, caramel, and spiced cake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ⅓ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
- 1 ½ cups fresh apple cider
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for filling)
- 1 apple (peeled and thinly sliced)
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon (for filling)
- ½ cup Salted Caramel Sauce (for filling)
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (softened, for buttercream)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- ¾ cup Salted Caramel Sauce (for buttercream)
- 1 cup walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
- Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat for 1 minute.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and apple cider in 3 batches, starting and ending with dry.
- Mix until incorporated. Divide into pans and bake for 25–28 minutes. Cool completely.
- For filling: In a pan, sauté apple slices in butter until softened. Add cinnamon and caramel sauce, bring to boil. Cool in fridge 20 minutes.
- For buttercream: Cream butter until fluffy. Beat in cream cheese. Gradually add sugar. Beat in caramel and whip 2 minutes.
- To assemble: Pipe a wall of buttercream on bottom cake layer. Fill with apple filling. Add top cake layer and lightly press.
- Frost entire cake with remaining buttercream. Garnish with crushed walnuts (optional).
Notes
- Store finished cake in the refrigerator due to cream cheese in frosting.
- Take out 1 hour before serving for best texture.
- Chopped pecans can be used instead of walnuts.
- Store-bought caramel (e.g. Trader Joe’s) works well if not making from scratch.
- Recipe can be converted to 24 cupcakes; dice apples smaller for filling.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 1018 kcal
- Sugar: 70 g
- Sodium: 611 mg
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 32 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 121 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 194 mg
