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Wholesome Brown Sugar Apple Cider Cake

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A moist, tender cake made with brown sugar and apple cider, perfect for fall gatherings. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and can be made in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 cup (240ml) fresh apple cider
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • For the Brown Sugar Glaze (optional):
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line your 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the exposed sides with a little oil or butter.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves. Whisk until everything is evenly distributed. Make sure there are no lumps of brown sugar—break them up with your fingers if needed.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients: 2 large eggs (room temperature), 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup apple cider, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Whisk until the eggs are fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and slightly frothy.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together gently. Stir just until you no longer see streaks of flour—about 10 to 12 strokes. A few small lumps are totally fine. Overmixing will make the cake tough, so stop as soon as it comes together. The batter will be quite thin, almost like a thick pancake batter.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to spread it evenly. Tap the pan gently on the counter a couple of times to release any air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Start checking at the 50-minute mark. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be a deep golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed. If the top is browning too quickly after 40 minutes, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out and transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Let it cool completely before adding the glaze—about 1 hour. I know it’s tempting to glaze it warm, but it will just slide right off.
  8. For the glaze (optional): In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and 2 tablespoons apple cider. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and whisk in the sifted powdered sugar and a pinch of salt until smooth. Let cool slightly, then drizzle over the cooled cake.

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter. Use room temperature eggs. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Let cake cool completely before glazing. For a cleaner slice, use a serrated knife.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar apple cider cake, apple cider cake, fall cake, easy cake recipe, moist apple cake

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/wholesome-brown-sugar-apple-cider-cake-best-easy-recipe/