This moist, dense pound cake has lovely spiced flavors and a cinnamon sugar topping, just like an apple cider donut. It's perfect for fall!
1 lb (4 sticks) butter, room temperature
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 lb (2 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
8 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup Boiled Apple Cider, room temperature (recipe below)
4 ½ cups cake flour or White Lily All Purpose Flour
Preheat oven to 300°F. Prepare Old Country Kitchenware square tube pan by fitting a parchment paper square between the two pieces and brushing with pan coat. Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until pale, light and fluffy (about 6 minutes at medium speed). Beat in cream cheese. Add ½ cup flour, salt, baking powder, spices, and extract and beat until combined. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl. With the mixer running at low speed, add 1 egg and beat until fully incorporated. Repeat with each egg, beating well after each addition. With the mixer running on low, beat in apple cider. Add the rest of the flour in 2 additions, beating on low until it just disappears. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and beat for another 15 seconds on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared tube pan and gently shake to settle the batter. Place on middle rack of oven with a baking sheet on the rack below it to catch any drips. Bake 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool until the pan is cool enough to handle. To unmold, place it over a metal can and push down to remove the outer piece. Once the tube is cool enough to touch for 4 seconds, lift or turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Boiled Apple Cider
3 cups apple cider
Can be done ahead. Bring apple cider to a rolling boil and boil for 20-25 mins or until it’s concentrated down to about 1/2 cup. If you go too far, just add more apple cider or water to bring the liquid level to 1/2 cup. Let cool to room temperature.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons (or remainder of) Boiled Apple Cider
In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place cake on a lined rimmed baking sheet. Combine butter with Boiled Apple Cider, then brush over cake. With clean hands, rub sugar mixture over the top and sides of the cake.
2 comments
@Julia Yes! Chopped cooked apples would be great! Raw apples might seep too much liquid into the batter.
Looks great. What do you think about adding apples?