Mini Apple Cider Cakes.
Welcoming the weekend with fresh baked Mini Apple Cider Cakes. Made with boiled down spiced cider, apple butter, and cinnamon. Then baked and tossed with brown butter and spiced cinnamon sugar. There’s really nothing not to love about these cute (and sweet) autumn spiced cakes. The true secret? Boiling the apple cider down to really concentrate its flavor. These mini cakes are best enjoyed warm…preferably with a sweet mug of hot chocolate or your favorite latte. The perfect way to celebrate the autumn apple season!
Who else is so happy the weekend is here? I think we can all agree that we need a good autumn weekend full of pumpkin carving, Halloween movie marathons, and baking up all the best autumn sweets. It’s October, and in my mind, there’s really nothing better than an autumn weekend spent baking with seasonal ingredients. I’m very cheesy like that when it comes to this time of year, you guys know it’s my favorite.
And yup, I’m already excited to bake these up again this afternoon for Instagram. The kitchen is about to smell amazing.
In all seriousness, can you tell it’s been a long week or what? My words are far and few, but long weeks just make for even better weekends. And thankfully we have sweet autumn desserts to bake up and pumpkins to be carving (or you are going apple picking?).
I took a quick break from the autumn cider recipes to focus on chocolate, then pumpkin, and then maple, but the apple cider sweets are returning today with these favorite little mini cakes.
The quick story.
First off, aren’t these kind of cute?! I LOVE them.
The inspiration behind these is pretty simple. I’ve got a lot of pumpkin recipes coming up this October and November. So I was really just looking for a sweet recipe to share with you guys that didn’t involve any kind of pumpkin. We all love our pumpkin recipes, but I’m a believer that there can be too much pumpkin for one autumn season.
I racked my brain for a while. I waffled on a few ideas, one of them being a butterscotch dessert (would that be of interest to you guys? Please, let me know!), and then somehow, last minute, I landed on these. I was really wanting to create something cider based and something easy. I’ve done classic apple cider doughnuts, but I haven’t done apple cider cakes. I continued to brainstorm and was actually about to start testing another recipe. But then the idea for these mini cakes came to mind.
Yes, I could make mini apple cider bundt cakes and attempt to make them look like mini pumpkins by creating chocolate “vines” around the tops. They could be cute and delish, but was it just boring? I didn’t know…but I decided to give them a try. And while I may have been unsure about them at first, I am so happy I ended up making these. Not only are they cute and sweet, but the best part about these little mini cakes? They taste even better than they look. Think of your favorite apple cider doughnut. Got that thought? Ok, now lose the fried taste, and add a bit more apple flavor, plus autumn spices. That is the flavor of these cakes.
They’re basically a baked, old school style, apple cider doughnut. But in cake form…and with chocolate on top (if you like…which you know we do). SO GOOD.
These cider cakes are easy…here are the steps.
Honestly, these cakes could not be easier to make. If you can make a basic cupcake or muffin, you can certainly make these. There is nothing fancy about them.
The key to these cakes? It’s all in the cider. I recommend finding the best spiced cider with no added sugars. If you can, pick up some fresh apple cider from your local farmers market. Or even better, pick some up if you plan to go apple picking any time soon. Nothing quite beats a really good apple cider. It’s always so flavorful this time of year.
To help intensify the apple cider flavor throughout these cakes, I decided to boil down the cider on the stove until reduced. Boiling the cider will concentrate the flavors and make the cider that much more flavorful. It’s an extra step, but one that I think is worth it.
Once you’ve boiled the cider, the rest is quick. Just mix the cider with apple butter, butter, eggs, vanilla, plus dark brown sugar. Then add in all the dry ingredients. And done. That’s the batter.
Next, divide the batter between bundt cake pans, and bake. Since I really wanted these cakes to look somewhat like mini pumpkins, I chose to use a mini bundt pan. You can easily bake these up in a standard cupcake pan too. Both will work great!
As soon as the cakes come out of the oven, turn them out, then dip each through browned butter and spiced cinnamon sugar. Yes, browned butter AND spiced cinnamon sugar. Delicious.
Finish these up…and make em’ cute!
To decorate the cakes, I made mini pumpkins simply by using some cinnamon sticks and a little melted chocolate. They certainly aren’t perfect, but I kind of love that about them.
Each little cake is unique and so cute, plus we love the combination of sweet cinnamon sugar with chocolate.
So delicious.
And with that, here’s my recommendation for the coming weekend. Plan your ideal Saturday, but carve out some time to spend in the kitchen. Then test these cakes for the upcoming holidays. You’ll be so happy you did!
Yes, the holidays.
I know it’s hard to believe, but Halloween, and even Thanksgiving, are both right around the corner. These cakes are perfect for either occasion, or both. You can make them spooky for Halloween or cute for Thanksgiving. Either way, I would double the recipe. These go fast.
Oh, and lastly, I have to say these are DELICIOUS dipped in hot chocolate. Just a thought, but it’s a good one. Enjoy!
Looking for other sweet apple recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Fritters with Vanilla Coffee Glaze
Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Salted Maple Apple Tarte Tatin with Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Drizzled Cider Caramel Apples
Lastly, if you make these Mini Apple Cider Cakes be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Mini Apple Cider Cakes
Best enjoyed warm, preferably with a mug of cocoa or a latte. The perfect way to celebrate the autumn apple season!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 4 tablespoon salted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamon
- 6 ounces melted chocolate (optional)
- cinnamon sticks, for decorating (optional)
Instructions
-
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 15-16 mini bundt pan or cupcake pan molds with butter.
2. Bring the apple cider to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer 10-15 minutes or until reduced to about 3/4 cup. Remove from the heat. Let cool 5.
3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 3/4 cup boiled cider, melted butter, eggs, apple butter, vanilla, and brown sugar until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, mix until just combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, filling 2/3 the way full. Transfer to the oven and bake 12-13 minutes, until the tops are just set. Remove and let cool 5 minutes, then invert the cakes onto a cooling rack.
5. To make the coating. Add the butter to a skillet set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown until it smells toasted and is a deep golden color, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon and cardamon in a shallow bowl.
6. Brush each warm cake with browned butter, then roll (generously) through the cinnamon sugar. If desired, decorate with melted chocolate and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
Storing: store in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature.
To Bring Eggs to Room Temperature: place the eggs in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let sit 5 minutes.
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
Mini Bundt Pans: this is the exact mini bundt cake pan that I have.
Cupcake Pans: this is the exact 12-cup muffin pan that I have.
Mini Pumpkin and Leaves Cake Pans: this is the exact mini pumpkin and leaves cake pan I use and love.
Mini Pumpkin Cake Pan: this is the exact mini pumpkin cake pan I use...and also love.
Our Favorite Recipes
The Golden Snitch Cocktail.
This looks so beautiful! Can you please share more recipes with pears and plums? Since it is autumn season!! Please please please! I really love all your recipes.
Hey Christina,
Yes I will add to my list! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
these look so goood
Thank you Ruth! xTieghan
I would love to make these ahead. Do you think they will freeze well?
Hey Sandra,
Yes totally fine to freeze. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These are so cute.
Thank you Charlotte! xTieghan
I agree with you, yes to butterscotch please!
Thank you Lori! xTieghan
In the third step when you add the melted butter to all of the ingredients is that the salted butter or apple butter? and also,
In the fifth step when you say add the butter to a skillet, which butter are you referring to? The apple butter or the salted butter? Just trying to figure out when to add the apple butter. I want to make these this weekend but I cant see to figure out when to add the apple butter.
Hey KD,
Both the salted butter and apple butter are added in step 3. The remaining salted butter will be added to the skillet in step 5. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What do you use for the leaf shapes?
Hi Julie,
Here is the link for the leaf pans: https://ciroa.com/collections/cake-pans/products/harvest-mini-cake-pan-pumpkin-leaves
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I make your recipes ALL the time….love them.
Can I sub another full size….like a bread pan or a regular bundt pan….for this recipe? these are cute, for sure, but I don’t have, nor do I want to go out and buy, another baby bundt pan just for this.
Thanks,
Linda
Hey Linda,
Sure you can use another pan, just start checking for doneness around 25 minutes and note that it may take up to 45 minutes depending on the pan that you use. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Adorable. Another recipe I will pin and make.
Where did you get the 🍁 pans and the large pumpkin Bundt.
Mine will not be adorable..only have cupcake pans..but delicious I am 💯 sure.
😂 Thanks
Hey Vickie,
Here are the links for the pans:https://ciroa.com/collections/cake-pans/products/harvest-mini-cake-pan-pumpkin-leaves
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I see apple butter in the ingredients but am I just missing it in the instructions? ( these look so amazing! I LOVE your recipes! )
Thanks,
Cindy
Hey Cindy,
The apple butter is added in step 3. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These look adorable and delicious. I plan to make them in the pumpkin shaped muffin pan that I have had for years.
And, yes please, to the butterscotch recipe. I love that flavor and it isn’t prevalent these days. Happy Autumn! 🧡
Thank you so much Cheryl! I hope these turn out amazing for you! xTieghan
I want those, to bad I can’t eat eggs for a bit 😕
Thank you Johanna! I have not tried it, but maybe an egg substitute could work for you! xTieghan
I don’t see when to add the apple butter? Seems like it was omitted from the directions. I assume you add it to the wet ingredients?
Hey Jackye,
The apple butter is added in step 3. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Butterscotch – YES please!! Cant wait to make these they look delicious!!!
Thank you Erin! xTieghan
Major YES to the butterscotch! It’s such and underrated flavor, but somehow so perfect for October!
Thank you so much Rebecca! xTieghan
Oh my gosh!! I can’t wait to make these!! Can you add walnut or pecan nuts!!
Hey Mindy,
Sure that would be great! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What if you bit into one of these cakes and butterscotch came oozing out????
How yummy does that sound?
Ooo yes!! Thank you Kellylynn! xTieghan
Making now and I skipped to the recipe. I just realized that the directions don’t state when to add the apple butter – it is noted in the section prior to the directions. I just added a little apple butter to each. I’m sure they will turn out delicious!
Thank you so much! xTieghan
I am interested in trying these with whole wheat flour or a combo of that and rye – do you suggest altering the amount since it has a different gluten content or changing anything else? Or advise against it entirely? I thought it may be a nice rustic and nutty flavor,,, Thank you and LOVE your blog and recipes!!
Hey Sarah,
I have not tested these with whole wheat or rye flour. I would recommend using a combo of flours if possible. Or you could use an equal amount of GF flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These look amazing!!!! I’m going to try them for sure! And I would love to see a butterscotch recipe!!!!! Maybe a pumpkin butterscotch ice cream? 😋 Or maybe a butterscotch pumpkin latte? That would be amazing! Love your blog, btw!!! 😍
Ooo yes! Thank you Esti! xTieghan
Yes, to butterscotch
Thanks Joyce! xTieghan
Do you have to make this in a bunt pan or mold?
Hey Susan,
You could make these in any pan you have, just adjust your baking time accordingly. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Wow these are so cute and look delicious! Yes to a butterscotch recipe, I love that flavor too!
Thank you so much Johanna! xTieghan
Hi,
We love you recipes and thank you for sharing them with our family. My daughter is allergic to eggs. Is there a good substitute for eggs in this recipe?
Thanks
Tom
Hey Tom,
So sorry I have not tested this recipe without the eggs, you could try a chia or flax egg. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
YES, to butterscotch!!!! 😋
Thanks Michelle! xTieghan
Looks amazing!! If I wanted to make a full bundt cake instead of mini ones – what would the cooking time be? Thanks!
Hey Lauren,
I would start checking for doneness at 25 minutes, but it could take up to 45 minutes to fully bake. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
If you don’t have fancy pans, what do you suggest, can you just use cupcake tins?
Hey Patricia,
Yes you can use a cupcake pan. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you think this batter would work in a Madeleine Pan?
Hey Kathryn,
Yes that should work, I would just keep an eye on them in the oven as to not over-bake. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan
Don’t have apple cider is it possible to substitute it with apple juice ?
Thanks
Hey Nadia,
You could use apple juice just be sure to add 3/4 cup of brown sugar. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
These are so cute! Just wanted to ask, when you refer to apple cider what do you mean? I’m in Scotland and here cider means an alcoholic sparkling apple drink. I’m thinking this is not what apple cider is in America!
Hi Clare! Yes, it is different! Ours is flat and non alcoholic. It is more similar to regular apple juice! xTieghan
So good. So easy. I already had everything on hand. I just used muffin tins because I don’t have all the cute shapes but they are DELICIOUS. One thing I really appreciate about this recipe is that there was the exact right amount of brown butter and cinnamon sugar. I hate it when I have a ton leftover. I dipped them in the butter like in the Insta stories. 🙂
Amazing! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Krista! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan
I made these today and they were quite yummy! The apple butter and apple cider add such a fun fall touch. In addition to the original topping I melted a bit of hazelnut spread and drizzled it on top. Upon delivery to the air attack fire base I got rave reviews from all the firefighters. Thanks for another great recipe! Can’t wait to make more fall treats.
That is so amazing!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Reanna! xTieghan
Really wonderful recipe! Will make this again and again.
Thank you so much Myrna! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made these for my family tonight and they were were a hit! Will be a new fall staple in my house.
Thank you so much Emma! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Made these tonight, and they are delicious! Even without the chocolate, there is such a great mix of spice- sugar, cinnamon and the cardamom. The cardamom is such a great addition, makes these that much more wonderful. Decadent and fabulous!
Thank you so much Nancy! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Super Yummy! I didn’t have the decorative tins, but the flavor makes up for the pretty! Love this and will make it many more times!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Carolyn! xTieghan
Can’t wait to make these, and yes on the butterscotch recipes! My father-in-law would be very thankful as butterscotch is his favorite.
Ooo perfect!! Thank you Linda! xTieghan
Made these little beauties this morning, so good! I didn’t have any apple butter, so I mixed some almond butter and honey together to try to come close to what was needed. They taste great and look just like they should, so I am very happy about that!!
Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for trying this Kim! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
These are and beautiful even when made in an ordinary muffin pan!
Thank you so much Ginger! xTieghan
Hello can you please answer how you baked some of the leaves and other shapes there is no really a reply on how to make them. Thank you very discouraging!!!
Hi Agnie! I have them all linked under the recipe! I will leave the leaf and pumpkin pans here! xTieghan
Made these during this chilly snowy Colorado weather today and they are absolutely amaaaaaazing. So delicious especially when they’re still a little warm. Super light and airy without being dry. Should’ve doubled (or probably quadrupled!) the recipe. So so good!
So perfect! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
These look very sweet and delicious.. I’m definitely gonna try it. Great site, congratulations. Keep in touch and good luck. Alessandro
Thank you so much Da! xTieghan
I made these today and they are absolutely heavenly. I used my mini muffin pan since I don’t have regular muffin pans and I loved how you get more brown butter and cinnamon sugar surface area. Absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Only thing I didn’t have was cardamom. Thanks for this amazing recipe!
Thank you for trying this recipe, Li! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Delicious!!!! This recipe is a keeper.
We forgot the 1 cup of dark sugar, only realised when they were already baking. I was about to throw them out but my husband convinced me to see what they tasted like with the cinnamon sugar.
The cakes were a little paler because of the dark sugar omission but they were delicious. Sweetness was perfect for us. The browned butter and cardamom is a lovely flavour.
So glad we didn’t throw them out!
I am so happy these turned otu so well for you, Amy! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Made these today after making your apple butter. They both turned out so well! Truly a delicious recipe – and fancy enough to gift to friends – which I plan on doing. Thanks for the great recipes!!
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Whitney! xTieghan
Delicious!
I’ve always been intimidated by baking but your videos and recipes are super easy to follow and have consistently turned out for me. Thank you!
I am really happy to hear that, Dayna! Thank you! xTieghan
These look great – and your photography is gorgeous. Yes on the butterscotch. That’s a favorite of mine. Any anything caramel.
Thank you Janet!! I am really happy this recipe turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
If you don’t have apple butter could you use apple sauce instead?
Hey Jennie,
Yes apple sauce would work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Shoot, I didn’t see that the homemade apple butter was a needed ingredient and now I’ve already got tortellini soup in the slow cooker. Is there anything that I can use to substitute the apple butter? Thank you!!!
Hey Alice,
You could use apple sauce in place of the apple butter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made these last night – they came out super dense! Still trying to figure out where I goofed…
Thank you so much Lindy! xTieghan
I just made these for girls night tomorrow and OMG they are the best freakin donut I’ve ever had!!!! Amazing!
Thank you so much Renae! I am so happy you enjoyed these! xTieghan
Thee were so delicious!!!! Mine came out really dense and I’m not sure why. Any ideas?
Hey Debbie,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe! I am sorry these came out dense, did you adjust the recipe at all? Maybe over mixed? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
I desperately want to make these and have found several mini bundt pans.What is the diameter of the pan you used and what is the depth? I’ve found 4″ i diameter and a 2″ in diameter with 1″ depth. Which should I buy? ( will also try to make them using vegan eggs and butter so my grandson (who is allergic to dairy and eggs) can enjoy them!! Please help – thank you very much!!
Hey Eileen,
Either one will work, I have all of the exact pans that I used linked above:) This is a very forgiving recipe, just keep an eye on them depending on the pan that you use. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just made these today and they were incredible! However mine tasted a little heavy on the flour. How would to recommend I adjust the next batch?
Hey Madison,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe! Sorry what do you mean heavy on the flour? I haven’t tried these with less flour so I am unsure of what the results would be. Let me know!! xTieghan
made these in muffin tins but they came out very dense. could that be due to baking powder or something else?
Hey Prav,
So sorry you had issues with the recipe. Did you adjust anything at all? Please let me know how I can help! Tieghan
I just made these and they are wonderful! They are the perfect size to have with some hot cider. Everything I love about fall in one bit, plus they made the whole house smell heavenly! Thank you for another delicious recipe.
Thank you for trying this Rebekah! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Okay, seriously??? These have got to be the best ever. They were like an Auntie Anne’s cinnamon pretzel meets apple cider heaven but on steroids. The smell of my house was better than any candle I swear…my roommates agreed that these were the best thing I’ve made this fall, and I didn’t think I could top your pumpkin muffins or your brown butter apple blondies…they were definitely a little dense as other reviews said, so many too much flour? Still delish!!! I didn’t have cardamom or ginger either but no issues with that. I used a muffin tin also. . SO GOOD!!!
Wow yes!! I am so happy these turned out so amazing for you, Maggie! Thank you for trying them! xTieghan
Made these gems tonight and served with homemade maple ice cream. Also had the luxury of using fresh apple cider from a local orchard and homemade apple butter. Honestly, they were divine and will be making them every year. (Used cupcake tin, which worked fine but probably needed 14 min to set with my oven)
Thank you so much Nicole! I am really glad these cakes turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I love everything you bake but this has been one of my favorites!! Now, I just need to hide them from my hubby!
Haha I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jacquelyn!! xTieghan
I just made these and they are so good, BUT I think I did something wrong because they are SO dense/firm. I was thinking they would be more cake like. Still super good though!
Thank you so much Kylie! xTieghan
I made these and the Apple Butter. Super Tasty but mine were not as pretty as yours!
Ill keep working on my finishing touches. Love you it!
I am sure they looked amazing! And I am really glad you enjoyed these, Marla! Thank you! xTieghan
I made the apple cider cakes, I should of used apple butter or made it, ( I had the apples, just not the butter) so I chopped one into real small pieces, it’s All so delicious. It was a bit heavy , so I thinking those fresh apple was the weight of it. But should I have added more flour? If I’m using fresh apple?
It’s so so good
Hey Sonja,
Thanks for trying the recipe! I haven’t tried this recipe using fresh apples in place of the apple butter, I am assuming there is where the consistency went off. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These are so perfect! Little pockets of apple-y sugary goodness! Thanks for re-introducing apple butter to my life. 🙂
Yes!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Monica! xTieghan
Hello…
I made these in Nordic ware Acorn Pan..
So delicious…
Worth every minute of prep.
They really didn’t look like an acorn once rolled in the buttery sugary concoction…but so delicious it didn’t natter.
A chocolate drizzle would definitely have fixed that!
Amazing!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Janice! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Super easy, just like you said! I find these to be a healthy cake, so I made them for my toddler nephew, and he loved them! Unfortunately, mine turned out a bit dry, and I promise I folded the batter JUST until the dry ingredients were incorporated. Any idea as to why it turned out dry or maybe something I could do/add to prevent that next time? I was thinking about adding a bit more of the boiled apple cider.
Hey Tanya,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I would maybe try to bake them for a little less time next time around. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So unbelievably good! Super apple-y with the double helping of Cider and butter. I had just gotten both from a nearby orchard and have been craving nothing but Apple desserts. These did not disappoint. I used a donut pan because I did not have any other “mini” pans and donuts felt right. Filled the pan (not 2/3rds) and cooked 8min at 350 and was perfect. Now my only problem is stopping myself from eating all of them right now 🤦♀️
Haha that is not a bad problem to have! I am really glad these turned out so well for you, Lyndsey!! xTieghan
Wow!!! Made these w/ King Arthur’s gluten free flour and they were SO SO good. Used the homemade apple butter recipe that’s linked (super easy). Was sure to not over mix since there were a few comments about them being a little dense, but mine were perfect!!
I am really glad these turned out perfectly for you, Lacy!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Can applesauce work in place of the apple butter?
Hey Jenna,
Yes that would work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, Where can I get some cardamom? I have looked everywhere locally and no dice. I hear there is a cardamom shortage on line. These look great.
Hey Karen,
You should be able to find it at your local grocery store, you can always ask them to order it for you. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
?these are so adorable! I plan to make these soon. What do you use to pipe your melted chocolate?
Hi Lauren! I usually just use the corner of a plastic bag and I cut a small hole at the top! I have a video on my insta for this if you want to check it out! xTieghan
These came out like rubber. Great flavor but something is very off.
Hey Jessica,
So sorry you had issues with the recipe. Did you adjust the recipe at all? What kinds of pans did you use? I would be better able to help you if I had a little more information! xTieghan
This recipe turned out perfectly using gluten free flour (I used the ATK GF flour blend). So so so yummy and no changes to the recipe necessary other than swapping the flour, which is rare for a gluten to gf recipe. Thanks!!
Thank you so much Karen! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Ok I made these yesterday Oh heavens they are so good Way better than a donut you get at the cider mill. So happy I made apple butter with the apples I got at the mill. I put i
them in freezer bags and put them in the freezer. They are do pretty as well. I delivered some to my daughter and best friend today. Makes a great fall gift.
Love that!! I am really glad these turned out so well for you, Marie! xTieghan
These are so good! I made them into tiny muffins (aka donut holes in my mind). They almost taste like apple cider cakes you would get at a pumpkin patch. These will be a Fall staple for me.
Thank you Meaghan! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Just made them! The texture is dense and they are a little chewy. Is that supposed to be the consistency or did I mess something up? They taste great, I was just expecting a more crumbly cake.
Hey Rachel,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, so sorry you did not enjoy the texture. These are not meant to be crumbly but more of an old fashioned donate cake texture. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks so yummy! I have a lot of apples to use up and was considering adding very small bits of apple into the batter. How do you think that would be? I’m nervous it would mess up the baking process or that the apple bits would still be hard when you bite into it. Any thoughts?
Hey Laikyn,
I haven’t tested this, but you could certainly give it a try! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Yum! Made these tonight and the browned butter and cinnamon sugar coating raises them to a whole new level. Thank you!
Thank you! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
What substitutions can we make to make this vegan/dairy free??
Hey there,
I have not tried making this vegan/dairy free, but I would use your favorite dairy free substitutes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you think I could use a margarine?? They look awesome
Hey Denise,
Yes that will work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi-if I’ll be using boiler cider (Kim Arthur), I assume I simply add the reduced amount of 3/4 cups instead since further reducing wouldn’t be necessary???
HI! Yes, that is corrected! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
These look amazing. Do you think they’d hold up if you mailed them for a holiday treat? What do you think the best way to preserve them would be?
Hey Rose,
Yes, I think these would hold up well, I would wrap in plastic wrap. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So good! Used a regular muffin pan and they turned out perfect. The apple cider spice flavor definitely comes through
Thank you so much TG! I am really glad you enjoyed these! xTieghan
Excited to make these tomorrow to distract me from watching news all day tomorrow during the election! My question is: can you recommend how to melt the chocolate? I know in some past recipes you have used a bit of coconut oil to melt but wasn’t sure if that would be good and how much. Thanks!!
Hey Daniella,
I like to melt my chocolate with a little coconut oil in 30 second increments in the microwave. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I just made these. They are delicious!! Thank you.
Thank you for trying these, Mary! I am really glad they turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Maybe I did not use quality enough apple cider but I didn’t feel like I got enough apple flavor in these. Mine ended up just tasting like a really good coffee cake. Wish I had more apple flavor 🙁 But still delicious! And I love all your recipes!
Hi Justine! I am sorry the apple flavor was not too prominent for you.. Is there anything else that could have changed in the recipe? I am really happy you still enjoyed these! xTieghan
I was super excited to make these but mine turned out very dense and rubbery. I followed the recipe exactly and was wondering if you maybe had a idea of what I did wrong?
Hey Chloe,
So sorry you had issues with the recipe. Was your baking soda and powder fresh? Did you adjust the cooking method at all? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Wow these were soooo good. Great recipe. Thanks!
Thank you Pat! xTieghan
What a fantastic fall dessert! I just whipped these up and dropped them at my parent’s house as they were having some tea. They were warm and spicy and went over very well. Thanks for always being so creative. I cook from your cookbook on a regular basis. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Jenny! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Hi, it is the first time i visit your website, this cakes look amazing, i am going to try to do them, just one question, do you have a recipe for the apple butter? thanks!!
I made these this morning. Very yummy but I’m curious about the texture since I’ve never baked with apple butter. Should they be more dense and moist than cake like? I haven’t “baked” a lot lately and want to make sure that is the way they should be or if I need to replace my baking powder. Thank you!
Hey Elizabeth,
Thanks for trying the recipe! These are similar to an old fashioned doughnut cake. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
If you don’t have apple butter can you simply omit from the recipe or is it best to replace it with something? If so, with what?
Hey Sarah,
You can use apple sauce in place of the apple butter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan