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Moist Apple Cider Donut Loaf Cake Recipe with Easy Salted Caramel Drizzle

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A moist, fragrant apple cider loaf cake with a perfect balance of cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a sweet and salty homemade salted caramel drizzle. This cozy fall-inspired treat is quick, easy, and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (50g), packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup apple cider (180ml)
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (60ml) or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g) for caramel
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (43g) for caramel
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (60ml), warmed
  • ½ tsp sea salt, adjust to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter and dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. Using a mixer or whisk, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add the flour mixture and apple cider to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Add buttermilk with the last addition. Fold gently with a spatula without overmixing.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Check at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  7. Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. To make salted caramel drizzle: Heat sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber in color. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted. Slowly add warm cream while stirring. Return to low heat and stir until smooth. Add sea salt and adjust to taste. Let cool slightly to thicken.
  9. Drizzle salted caramel over cooled loaf. Slice and serve with coffee or tea. Optionally sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Check baking at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking. Warm cream slightly before adding to caramel to prevent seizing. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend and adjust baking time. For dairy-free, use coconut oil, almond milk with lemon juice, and coconut cream for caramel.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut loaf cake, salted caramel drizzle, fall dessert, moist cake, easy loaf cake, autumn baking, cinnamon nutmeg cake

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/moist-apple-cider-donut-loaf-cake-recipe-with-easy-salted-caramel-drizzle/