Description
A moist, fall-inspired cake that tastes like a donut but bakes like a cake. It features rehydrated dried apple chips in the batter and is topped with a rich, nutty brown butter glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup dried apple chips
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add apple cider to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in rehydrated dried apple chips.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While cake bakes, melt ¼ cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until golden brown and nutty (5-7 minutes).
- Let brown butter cool slightly. Whisk in powdered sugar, milk/cream, and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Drizzle with brown butter glaze while warm.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Use real apple cider, not juice, for tartness. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a tough cake. Brown butter carefully as it burns quickly. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For vegan, use flax eggs and dairy-free butter/milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: apple cider cake, fall baking, brown butter glaze, donut cake, autumn dessert, moist cake, easy baking