Go Back
+ servings
Spiced Cider Apple Cake Recipe with Brown Butter Frosting | Grandbaby Cakes
Print Recipe
4.35 from 49 votes

Spiced Cider Apple Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

A perfectly moist and tender fall cake flavored with apple cider and spices gets frosted with the most addictively creamy maple essenced brown butter frosting. Fall baking has never tasted so good!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18 servings
Calories: 452kcal

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp McCormick vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp McCormick ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp McCormick allspice
  • 3/4 cup apple cider room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk room temperature

For the Frosting

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper on the bottom and prepare the sides with a non stick baking spray. 
  • Add the butter, both sugars, oil, and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl on medium high speed and mix together about 4-5 minutes until light, fluffy and well combined.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
  • While cake continues to mix, add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice to a bowl and whisk together to combine.  
  • Slow mixer down to lowest speed and slowly add dry ingredients to batter.
  • Next pour in apple cider and milk and mix on low speed until silky batter is just combined.  
  • Once ready, carefully divide batter into three cake pans making sure they are even. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes then flip to remove from pan onto cooling racks. Allow cake layers to come to room temperature.

For the Frosting

  • In a medium sized light colored pan, melt butter over medium heat and occasionally stir. 
  • Allow butter to brown until tiny brown specks appear and a nutty aroma develops (this is after about 6 or 7 minutes following a foaming period). Once butter has browned, remove from heat, and immediately pour into a heat-proof bowl. Refrigerate until solid.
  • Once butter is solid, add butter and cream cheese to bowl of your mixer and mix on medium speed until combined. 
  • Next turn the mixer down to low and slowly add confectioner’s sugar and salt in small portions until all is added then turn the speed to medium high to combine.
  • Lastly add heavy cream, vanilla extract and maple extract and mix until nice and fluffy. 
  • Frost completely cooled cake layers and serve.

Video

Notes

Make sure all of your ingredients, particularly your butter and eggs, are at room temperature when making your cake batter.

Storage

Room Temperature: If you plan on enjoying right away within a day or two, a cake stand with a cover or a large airtight container will do the trick. Keep it on your counter away from direct sunlight.
Refrigerate: For a slightly longer life span, say up to five days, pop it in the fridge. Make sure it’s covered tightly with plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container.
Freeze for the Future: Place individual slices on a baking sheet to freeze initially, and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. When you're ready to indulge, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 316mg | Potassium: 225mg | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 1.2mg