Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Introduction

The Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream is the ultimate fusion of cozy fall flavors and irresistible decadence. With the warming spice of apple cider and the luscious richness of salted caramel, this cake has the power to transform any gathering into a celebration. Perfect for special occasions or a show-stopping weekend treat, this effortlessly moist and aromatic dessert earns rave reviews for its taste and presentation.

Why Bake Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream?

This cake shines because it layers the tart depth of spiced apple cider within a tender crumb, then crowns it with rich, buttery salted caramel frosting. The result is a dessert that’s just sweet enough, with complexity from the caramel and a subtle tang from the apple. The mix of flavors and textures delivers comfort and wow factor in every bite, making it an instant crowd favorite.

Crafting the Perfect Apple Cider Cake

Reduce fresh apple cider on the stove for concentrated flavor, then whisk it into a batter infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar. The key is not to overbake, which helps retain the moist, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. This cake bakes beautifully as a single or multi-layer cake—customize according to crowd size.

Making Salted Caramel Buttercream

For the buttercream, cook sugar until golden and caramelized, add butter and heavy cream for silky smoothness, and finish with flake salt for balance. Once cooled, beat your caramel into butter and powdered sugar to create a creamy, spreadable frosting with crave-worthy salted caramel notes. Let the cake cool completely before frosting for the tidiest results.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions

For show-stopping presentation, swirl extra salted caramel over the frosted cake and sprinkle with a few flakes of sea salt. Garnish with thin apple slices or edible flowers for a hint of elegance. Serve with hot cider or strong coffee—a pairing designed to bring out every delicious note.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 12 generous slices. Each slice contains about 420 to 470 calories, depending on the thickness of frosting and caramel drizzle. It’s an indulgence best reserved for special moments and shared with people you care about.

Apple Cider Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream (Recap)

This Apple Cider Cake is beloved for its moist crumb and fragrant spice, with a salted caramel buttercream that adds irresistible depth and richness. It’s the dessert that friends and family will request again and again, no matter the season.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list—with all ingredients sorted by store section—making grocery trips smooth and meal planning effortless.

Instructions

1. Reduce the Apple Cider: In a saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to about 3/4 cup (approximately 20–25 minutes). Let cool completely.
2. Prep Oven and Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, oil, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Add cooled reduced cider to the butter mixture. Gradually add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
6. Bake: Divide batter between cake pans. Bake 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
7. Make Caramel Sauce: In a heavy saucepan, melt 1 cup granulated sugar over medium, swirling (not stirring) until amber. Add 6 tablespoons butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in heavy cream (it will bubble). Stir in the flaky sea salt and let cool to room temperature.
8. Prepare Buttercream: In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup unsalted butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. Beat in caramel sauce 2–4 tablespoons at a time, until desired flavor and consistency. Reserve extra caramel for drizzling.
9. Assemble Cake: Level cakes if necessary. Frost between layers, sides, and top. Swirl remaining caramel over the frosted cake and garnish with additional sea salt, apples, or edible flowers as desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Classic desserts like this Apple Cider Cake are ideal additions to your weekly meal plan for special occasions, holiday feasts, or purposeful treat days. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your baking and generate a centralized grocery list alongside other planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredient amounts—even when recipes share items like eggs, butter, or sugar
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery aisle for faster, less stressful store runs
• Helps avoid duplicate buys and forgotten essentials
• Streamlines meal prep and bake-ahead strategies for celebrations or busy weeks

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes to easily identify ingredient overlaps—combining common items for maximum efficiency and to prevent kitchen waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including cooling and frosting)