Cinnamon-Infused Apple Cider Cake with Oat Streusel and Sweet Cider Drizzle

Cake Ingredients:

• 295 ml apple cider, concentrated to 118 ml and cooled
• 188 grams of plain flour
• 1 tsp of leavening agent (baking powder)
• 1/2 tsp of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
• 1/2 tsp of crystalline salt
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg
• 4 tbsp of unsalted butter at ambient temperature
• 100 grams of dark brown sugar
• 50 grams of caster sugar
• 60 ml of a mild-flavored oil (such as coconut)
• 2 farm-fresh eggs at ambient temperature
• 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
• 60 ml of unsweetened applesauce

For the Oat Streusel:

• 63 grams of plain flour
• 73 grams of dark brown sugar
• 45 grams of rolled oats
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of crystalline salt
• 56 grams of butter, melted

Apple Cider Glaze:

• 63 grams of icing sugar
• 15 ml apple cider

Cake Preparation:

1. Begin by reducing the apple cider: Simmer the cider in a saucepan until it’s halved in volume, which should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Warm your oven to 175°C (350°F). Coat an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with non-stick spray or line it with baking parchment.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir and set aside.
4. Cream the butter with both sugars in a larger bowl. Introduce the oil, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce, beating until just mixed.
5. Gradually add the dry mix into the wet ingredients in halves, alternating with the reduced cider. Transfer this batter into the prepared pan.

For the Streusel:

6. Toss together flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt in a separate container. Pour in the melted butter and blend until it resembles moist crumbs. Scatter over the cake batter, pressing down lightly.
7. Bake for 33 to 40 minutes. The cake should have a golden perimeter and a toothpick should come out clean from the center. Rest the cake to cool.

For the Glaze:

8. Whisk icing sugar with apple cider until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake for a finishing touch.

Additional Tips:

• Concentrating the cider is crucial for a robust apple essence.
• Feel free to forgo the glaze for a simpler dusting of icing sugar.
• This recipe can be adapted to make 12 delightful muffins, reducing the bake time to 15-20 minutes.
• For precision, use grams, but if you’re without a scale, spooning the flour into your measuring cup will ensure it’s not compressed, achieving the desired lightness.