Glazed Apple Cider Cake Recipe

Glazed Apple Cider Cake Recipe

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Apple Cider Cake with Glaze

This moist, flavorful apple cider cake is perfect for fall gatherings. With a simple glaze drizzled over the top, its sure to impress your guests!

Ingredients

  • 1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 4 eggs
  • cup butter, melted
  • 1 (4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • cup apple cider

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Grease a fluted tube pan (such as a Bundt pan) with cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup of apple cider, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla pudding mix. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan and spread it evenly.
  4. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by stirring together the confectioners' sugar and cup of apple cider in a small bowl until smooth.
  6. Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a plate.
  7. Pour the glaze over the warm cake, letting it soak into the cake and drip down the sides. Let the cake absorb the glaze for about 30 minutes.
  8. Allow the cake to cool completely, about 30 more minutes, before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Amount % Daily Value
Calories 340
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 456mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 41g
Protein 4g 8%
Calcium 81mg 6%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 68mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Glazed Apple Cider Cake

Author: Beccabo73

History and Origins

The Glazed Apple Cider Cake draws its inspiration from classic autumn flavors, particularly the beloved apple cider doughnuts enjoyed in New England and the Northeast United States. Apple cider has long been a seasonal staple, particularly in the fall, when apples are harvested. This cake combines the warmth of the harvest season with the indulgence of cake, offering a cozy treat reminiscent of cider doughnuts, a fall tradition in many parts of the U.S. The cake has become popular as a comforting dessert during autumn festivities, especially around Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Regional Variations

The Glazed Apple Cider Cake is especially popular in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, regions where apple orchards flourish and apple cider is a beloved fall beverage. In some areas, you might find the cake made with freshly pressed apple cider from local farms, which adds a more authentic, rich flavor. Some variations include incorporating other fall spices like nutmeg, cloves, or ginger into the batter or glaze to enhance the cakes warm, aromatic profile.

Distinguishing Features

While it shares similarities with other spiced cakes, such as carrot cake or pumpkin bread, the Glazed Apple Cider Cake is unique in its use of apple cider as a key ingredient. The cider not only contributes moisture but also infuses the cake with a sweet and tangy apple flavor thats complemented by the sweetness of the glaze. The cakes texture is denser than a typical vanilla cake but softer than many spiced cakes, making it a perfect fall dessert. The addition of vanilla pudding mix gives the cake its moist consistency, setting it apart from drier alternatives.

Where Its Usually Served

This cake is often served as a dessert at autumn gatherings, including Thanksgiving dinners, Halloween parties, and harvest festivals. Its seasonal appeal makes it a popular choice for cozy family meals, and it is frequently seen at potlucks or shared as a homemade gift during the fall months. Its rich flavor and moist texture make it equally at home as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea. Additionally, its an ideal choice for holiday brunches or any event where you want to evoke the flavors of the season.

Interesting Facts

  • In New England, apple cider doughnuts are a famous fall treat, and this cake is a more decadent version of that regional favorite.
  • The glaze on this cake is made with apple cider, which is reduced to create a sweet, tangy syrup that soaks into the cake, giving it a rich flavor.
  • Apple cider is a seasonal product, and fresh cider is often only available during the fall months, making this cake a special treat during that time of year.
  • Some versions of the cake include additions like chopped apples, walnuts, or even a dash of bourbon in the glaze, giving it a unique twist depending on the bakers preferences.

Conclusion

The Glazed Apple Cider Cake is a delightful and flavorful dessert that celebrates the essence of autumn. Whether you make it for a festive occasion or just to enjoy a comforting treat at home, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Its moist, spiced batter combined with the sweet apple cider glaze makes it a perfect reflection of the seasons best flavors.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories340 kcal
Fat13g
Carbs52g
Protein4g
Sodium456mg

FAQ about Glazed Apple Cider Cake Recipe

Yes, you can prepare this cake a day or two ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to a month.

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it for longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to a month.

Yes, fresh apple cider works great in this recipe. However, keep in mind that it may have a stronger apple flavor, so adjust the amount of glaze to your taste.

Make sure to grease the pan well before pouring in the batter. You can also use a baking spray with flour to prevent the cake from sticking. If it still sticks, try letting the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove it.

Yes, you can use a different type of cake mix, such as yellow cake mix or spice cake mix, depending on your preference. However, the flavor of the cake may change slightly.

Yes, you can add chopped apples, walnuts, or other nuts to the batter for added texture and flavor. Just be sure not to overload the batter, as this may affect the cake's rise.

If the glaze is too thick, you can add more apple cider to reach your desired consistency. If it's too runny, add more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

While the glaze adds a nice sweetness and moisture to the cake, you can skip it if you prefer a less sweet or simpler dessert. The cake will still be flavorful on its own.

A Bundt pan or a fluted tube pan is ideal for this recipe, as it helps the cake cook evenly and gives it a beautiful presentation. If you don't have a Bundt pan, you can use a regular round or square cake pan, though baking times may vary.

It is not recommended to freeze the glazed cake because the glaze may lose its texture upon thawing. However, you can freeze the unglazed cake and then glaze it once it has thawed.

Comments

Larry Clark

09/20/2023 08:59:44 PM

The glaze was too overpowering with cider. Simply mix cider with sugar until you reach your preferred consistency.

George Roberts

11/13/2024 10:37:11 PM

Extremely moist and flavorful. I will definitely continue preparing this dish. Such a simple recipe!

Brian Allen

05/11/2023 12:47:33 AM

I followed the recipe exactly and I genuinely enjoyed it. I wish I could give it four and a half stars. The cake was very moist, but it definitely required the glaze to enhance its flavor. I will make it again, but next time I plan to elevate the taste of the glaze with a touch of nutmeg or cloves.

Emma Flores

02/15/2025 08:15:17 PM

Review rewritten: After watching a movie featuring apple cider doughnuts the other night, I was intrigued and decided to look up a recipe for apple cider cake. I made it, and it turned out to be incredibly delicious. I will definitely be making it again for the holidays.

Rachel Gomez

08/15/2023 08:00:29 AM

Easy to assemble and smells wonderful, but I struggled to remove it from the pan! Should I have let it cool before adding the glaze? I drizzled it while it was still warm, followed the directions to let it sit for 30 minutes, then inverted it to cool for another 30 minutes and couldn't get it out. Eventually, when it finally came out, half of the top was stuck in the pan. I managed to patch it up and added a thicker glaze to cover the imperfections. Not sure if I would attempt making it again.