Sweet Sundays: Apple Cider Pound Cake

Since the Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, I figured a lighter dessert may be better for today. I bought a bundt cake pan a few months ago and haven't had the opportunity to use it. So when I found this recipe for Apple Cider Pound Cake while googling apple cider desserts, I knew I had to make it. So here is my alteration of the recipe based on what I had in my pantry.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups apple cider
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup vegetable Crisco shortening
• 6 eggs at room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Boil the apple cider on medium high heat until there's only a cup left, about 30 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and set aside.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease your 10 inch bundt pan.

Cream the butter, shortening, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add in the eggs one at a time. 

Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder and spices). Add in half of the mixture to the creamed butter-egg mixture.

Pour in the apple cider reduction and beat for 30 seconds, then beat in the remaining dry ingredients.

Spread the batter into the greased bundt pan and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Use the toothpick trick to check to see when your cake is done. I started peeking into the oven around 45 minutes in, I don't entirely trust my oven.

How cute is my spatula?! I picked it up on Black Friday at Target (not on sale, but adorable). No chloe did not get any, but she looks cute. ;)

After the cake is finished, allow to cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack (in the pan).

Jiggle your cake in the pan, from side to side to loosen. If you need to slide a butter knife down the edges to loosen it, definitely do so. Next place a plate (or the rack) on the top of your cake pan and flip the cake onto it. Remove the pan and allow to cool completely.

You have no idea how thankful I was that this came out nicely. I just always picture everything falling apart, cakes have not been my forte in the past. But luckily, icing saves everything.

This would probably be nice with an apple flavored drizzle over the top, but I was going for a more delicate dessert today. I was very happy with it plain, and a cup of tea.

Enjoy!