Who says apple desserts are just for fall? Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze, a cake that transcends seasons and brings joy to every occasion. With its moist, cinnamon-spiced cake infused with tender apple chunks and topped with a luscious bourbon glaze, this recipe is a true masterpiece that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you’re celebrating a special event, hosting a cozy gathering, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this cake is the perfect choice. Let’s delve into the details and discover how to create this delectable treat.
Apples: The Star of the Show
Let’s begin by preparing the apples, the stars of this dessert that lend their natural sweetness and juicy flavors to the cake. You can use pretty much any apples that you have on hand. This is a good chance to use any apples that aren’t the best for snacking on their own, or any apples that have started to pass their peak freshness. Start by peeling the apples and chopping them into bite-sized chunks. In a pot over medium heat, combine the chopped apples with brown sugar, some butter, a generous dash of cinnamon, and a touch of water. Allow the apples to cook down slowly, caramelizing to perfection. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking, taking care not to overcook them. We want the apples to be softened yet retain their shape, so they hold up throughout the cake.
Bundt Cake Magic:
Now, let’s turn our attention to the heart of the recipe—the Bundt cake itself. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter and granulated sugar. Using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until they become light and fluffy, creating a creamy base that will provide the cake’s moistness and richness. Gradually incorporate the eggs, one by one, ensuring each egg is fully blended before adding the next. As the batter comes together, add a generous splash of vanilla extract, a touch of almond extract, and fragrant ground cinnamon. These aromatic ingredients infuse the cake with warmth and complexity, turning it into a comforting treat that can be enjoyed year-round.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and a pinch of kosher salt. This combination of dry ingredients ensures the cake’s structure and lightness, allowing it to rise and become stable while retaining its delicate texture. Begin incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, adding about two cups at first. Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring they are just combined without over-mixing, as we want to maintain the cake’s airy crumb. Slowly pour in the milk, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and well incorporated. Then add the rest of the dry ingredients. Finally, fold in three-quarters of the cooked apple mixture, reserving the remaining apples for topping. This creates a cake batter that is delightfully studded with tender apple pieces, bursting with flavor in every bite.
Grease a standard Bundt pan with cooking spray, ensuring every nook and cranny is well coated to prevent the cake from sticking. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using a spatula, smooth the surface to create an even distribution of batter. Slide the pan into the preheated oven, and wait for your kitchen to be filled with the intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and apples.
Once the cake is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. This short cooling time allows the cake to settle and release from the pan, making it easier to turn out. Carefully invert the pan onto a cooling rack, gently tapping the bottom to release the cake.
Bourbon-Glazed Perfection:
To elevate this cake to new heights, we’ll prepare a rich bourbon glaze that complements the flavors of cinnamon and apples. In a bowl, whisk together a generous splash of bourbon, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and a velvety drizzle of melted butter. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar into the mixture, whisking until a smooth glaze forms. If the glaze is too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to achieve the desired consistency, ensuring it beautifully coats the cake and gently drips down its sides. If you don’t like bourbon or don’t have any on hand, a simple vanilla glaze would be delicious here. Just omit the bourbon, increase the amount of water and add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract.
Finally, top the cake with the glaze and the remaining quarter of the cooked apples, allowing their syrup to seep into the crevices and add a final burst of flavor. Each bite becomes a delicious medley of tender apples, fragrant cinnamon, and the subtle warmth of bourbon. Mmmmm!
Enjoying the Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze
With its enticing blend of cinnamon-spiced cake, tender apple chunks, and luscious bourbon glaze, this Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake is a dessert for all seasons. Its comforting flavors and enticing aroma make it a delightful treat that can be enjoyed year-round, from cozy autumn gatherings to springtime celebrations and everything in between. Whether you’re treating your loved ones or indulging in a delicious weekend dessert, this cake is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. You can enjoy this cake on its own or serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
I hope you love this Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze as much as I do! If you make this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you thought or feel free to ask a question! I’d also love to see what you made! Tag me in your food pictures @fortheperfectbite or use #fortheperfectbite on Instagram.
Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Bundt Pan
Ingredients
Apples
- 6 medium apples
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ stick salted butter
- 2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Bundt Cake
- 3 sticks salted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp almond extract
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup milk
- cooking spray
Glaze
- 1 ½ tbsp bourbon
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Prepare the Apples
- Peel the apples and chop them into bite sized chunks.
- Combine the chopped apples with the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and ½ cup water in a pot over medium heat.
- Cook the apples down, stirring often, until they are softened but still hold their shape (you don't want them to be applesauce-level soft), about 30 minutes.
- Allow the apples to cool while you prepare the cake.
Bundt Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy in a large bowl with a hand mixer or with a stand mixer. One at a time, mix each egg into the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and ground cinnamon and continue mixing.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt. Add 2 cups of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Mix in the milk until combined, then add the rest of the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
- Mix ¾ of the cooked apple mixture into the batter, reserving ¼ for topping.
- Grease a standard bundt pan with cooking spray.Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then flip it out onto a cooling rack to continue cooling.
Cinnamon Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze
- Prepare the glaze: Whisk together the bourbon, brown sugar, and melted butter. Once combined, whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp water (the glaze should be on the thicker side if you are adding it to a still-warm cake, as it will melt and thin on the cake).
- Top the cake with the glaze and the remaining ¼ of the cooked apples and their syrup.
- Serve and enjoy.
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