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.
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 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
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