Festive Bourbon Apple Cider Cake: A Fall Dessert to Remember

This Bourbon Apple Cider Cake is what autumn dreams are made of. A spiced, moist layer cake packed with apple flavor and topped with silky bourbon frosting, it’s the perfect sweet centerpiece for your next cozy gathering. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, hosting friends, or just want to bake something extra special for the season, this fall dessert checks every box.

With Honeycrisp apples, reduced cider, and a generous swirl of warming spices, each bite delivers serious comfort and flavor. And let’s not forget that smooth splash of bourbon in the frosting—it’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.

Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Apple Cider Cake

• Richly spiced with all your favorite fall flavors
• Real apple puree and cider make it ultra-moist
• Creamy, not-too-sweet bourbon cream cheese frosting
• It’s a showstopper for any autumn occasion

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider, reduced to 1 cup
• 3 1/2 cups (437 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 oz (227 g) unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 2 1/4 cups (450 g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground clove
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp allspice
• 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and pureed

For the Icing:

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• 1 stick (113 g) butter
• 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup + 3 tsp (75 ml) bourbon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Glaze:

• 4–5 tbsp honey, caramel, or dulce de leche

How to Make Bourbon Apple Cider Cake

1. Reduce the cider: In a saucepan, simmer apple cider until reduced to 1 cup. Let cool.
2. Prep the pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices.
4. Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
5. Alternate additions: In a separate bowl, mix milk and vanilla. Alternate adding dry mixture and milk mixture to the batter, beginning and ending with flour.
6. Add apples and cider: Fold in pureed apples and cooled cider until just combined.
7. Bake: Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cakes completely.
8. Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in bourbon and vanilla until creamy.
9. Assemble: Stack and frost cake layers, smoothing the sides and top.
10. Finish with glaze: Drizzle with honey, caramel, or dulce de leche if desired.

Cake Tips & Tricks

• Reduce the cider ahead of time to cool completely before mixing.
• Pureed apples add moisture—no need to cook them first.
• Use a cake leveler or serrated knife for even stacking.
• Chill the frosted cake briefly to help set the layers before glazing.

A Slice of Autumn Memory

I baked this beauty for a Friendsgiving when I wanted something other than pie but still full of fall flavor. One bite in, the table went silent—then came the requests for seconds and the recipe. The bourbon frosting was the surprise hit. Now it’s my favorite excuse to crack open the “baking bourbon.”

What to Serve with Apple Cider Cake

This cake pairs perfectly with spiced chai, hot cider, or a bourbon cocktail. It makes a fantastic finish to a roast dinner or festive brunch, and is always welcome at a fall potluck or bake sale.

How to Store and Make Ahead

Refrigerate the frosted cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temp before serving. You can also bake the layers in advance and freeze them individually, then thaw and frost closer to your event.

FAQs

Can I skip the bourbon?

Yes—substitute with milk or apple cider for an alcohol-free frosting.

Can I make cupcakes instead?

Absolutely! Fill liners 2/3 full and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.

Does the alcohol cook off?

Not in the frosting, so it’s best for adults. You can leave it out for a kid-friendly version.

Bourbon Apple Cider Cake: Your New Fall Favorite

This spiced apple cake is bursting with flavor, warmth, and festive charm. With a buttery crumb, bold frosting, and a golden drizzle, this festive layer cake is guaranteed to be the highlight of your fall dessert lineup.

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Festive Bourbon Apple Cider Cake

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including cider reduction and cooling)
• Yield: One 9-inch layer cake (serves 12–14) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Festive Bourbon Apple Cider Cake is a rich, spiced layer cake filled with real apple flavor and topped with a smooth bourbon cream cheese frosting. With pureed Honeycrisp apples, reduced apple cider, and warm fall spices, it’s a cozy and decadent dessert perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any fall celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cake:

• 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider, reduced to 1 cup

• 3 1/2 cups (437 g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 8 oz (227 g) unsalted butter (2 sticks)

• 2 1/4 cups (450 g) granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground clove

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 1/2 tsp allspice

• 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and pureed

For the Frosting:

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese

• 1 stick (113 g) butter

• 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup + 3 tsp (75 ml) bourbon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Glaze:

• 4–5 tbsp honey, caramel, or dulce de leche

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Instructions

• Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until reduced to 1 cup. Let it cool.

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 9-inch round cake pans.

• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and all the spices.

• In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.

• Mix milk and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the batter.

• Fold in apple puree and cooled cider.

• Divide batter into pans and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely.

• For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter, then add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in bourbon and vanilla.

• Assemble cake layers and frost.

• Drizzle with glaze (honey, caramel, or dulce de leche) if using.

Notes

Ensure cider is reduced and cooled before use.

The frosting contains alcohol—substitute for cider or milk if needed.

The cake layers can be made in advance and frozen.

Use room temp butter and cream cheese for smooth frosting.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American