Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Apple Cider Quatre Quarts Cake



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I'm told this cake comes from the orchard regions of Quebec. Those who speak French call cakes of this type quatre quart, which literally means 4 fourths. The rest of us call them pound cake because they were originally made with a pound each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. This is a seasonal version of the cake and it may not be to everyone's liking. It is lightly spiced and flavored with an apple cider reduction. Those who enjoy cider donuts will love this cake, others probably not so much. I must admit the cake grew on me and I liked it better on day three than I did on one. It was moist and fragrant , but it certainly was not as light or tender as I had been told it would be. For what it's worth, were I to make this again, and I probably won't, I'd used a mulled cider reduction for stronger flavor. The cake, with current spicing, offers the promise of cider season but really does not deliver. It was a disappointment. Here's the recipe.

Apple Cider Quatre Quarts Cake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of about.com

Ingredients:
3 cups apple cider
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 eggs, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1) Bring apple cider to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil cider for 25 to 35 minutes, or until it has reduced to slightly less than 1 cup. Remove cider from heat and add maple syrup. Set aside.; set the mixture aside.
2) Preheat and oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 10-inch bundt cake pan and set it aside.
3) Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, to mixture, beating for a few seconds after each addition. Stir together remaining dry ingredients (flour, spices, baking powder, and salt) and then add half to creamed butter-egg mixture and beat until most of flour is incorporated.
4) Add cooled apple cider-maple syrup reduction to batter, beat it for 30 seconds, and then beat in remainder of dry ingredients. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
5) Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Shake it from side to side to loosen cake from pan (you should hear and feel a light thumping), and use a small rubber spatula to loosen any stubborn sides. Place a serving platter over top of cake and invert it, removing pan to allow cake to cool completely. Yield: 12 to 14 servings.

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41 comments :

kitchen flavours said...

This is one "spicy" cake. Looks beautiful. I'm always confused between cider vinegar and apple cider!

Cheah said...

This is just wonderful. Bet it tastes as good. looks moist too!

Joanne said...

I'm so sorry this disappointed because from the sound of it, it really did have such promise!

scrambledhenfruit said...

It's so disappointing when a recipe doesn't turn out like expected. At least you figured out how to make it better! :)

Tom said...

That looks great.

Adelina said...

you are so honest- but the cake looks a true delight!

Monet said...

Isn't it funny how some baked goods taste so much better after a few days of resting? I love apple cider donuts, so I'm very tempted to give this a try. Thank you for sharing...I'm sorry it didn't live up to your hopes!

Marguerite said...

Sure looks and sounds delicious! I love apple cider donuts, so I would probably love this cake. Maybe I'll top it with a little praline sauce.

Pondside said...

It's pretty - but if you wouldn't make it again I probably wouldn't try it at all!

Ginny Hartzler said...

How interesting! So this is called quatre because it is one fourth butter, sugar, flour, and eggs!

asadisae said...

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penny aka jeroxie said...

Looks pretty moist to me.

Jeannie said...

Looks impressive, at least it got better as it aged.

Martha said...

This looks wonderful -- sorry you were disappointed by the taste. However, I may have to try it for it looks like a perfect dessert for Halloween!

Red Nomad OZ said...

HHHMMMmmm... Are you having a bet each way, Mary?! It does sound interesting, but you've clearly got some reservations!! Maybe I'll hold off until I've got some leftover cider ...

Happy travels!!

Jamie said...

Mary this is one stunning recipe! I was just reading something about cooking with apple cider in my French Saveurs cooking mag and have a craving! This cake is something my husband loves! I must make this for that perfect cold weather treat! (and I think unusual flavored desserts do tend to grow on us - I think this would grow on me rather quickly)

Sushma Mallya said...

Beautiful cake..

Kim said...

This cake sounds pretty good! Plus, it's beautiful

Anonymous said...

How could one not be in love with this cake?
Maybe it's because I am a Canadian girl? Who knows, but I would really love a piece!

Priya Suresh said...

Scrumptious cake, looks super soft..

High Plains Drifters said...

I think i have a magic Bundt pan ... everything that comes out of it just wows us. Just got some fresh apple cider so will try this one out on our saturday football guests. thanks!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Look at the height of that cake Mary. The fall flavouts in this would be very welcome this time of year.

Dorothy at Belle of the Kitchen said...

I love a good pound cake--and it's fun knowing the "french" version of that (it makes sense, quatre quarts), even if it wasn't up to par. Your photos are beautiful, though!

La Table De Nana said...

The cake looks great!

Anonymous said...

It sounds and looks really good Mary. I love apple cider donuts and you remind me I haven't had any in years.... I bet I would love this cake. Have a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry it didn't deliver...it sure looks fantastic!!

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Great concept and delicious sounding but also disappointing that the cake didn't live up to your expectations (which I hate when happens). I do think so, with the changes you mentioned this might be a fantastic cake!

Receitas para a Felicidade said...

This cake is interesting Mary ,sorry for your disapointed but he look`s wonderful.

Pam said...

What a spicy cake! It looks and sounds wonderful to me!

Banana Wonder said...

loving this recipe!!

Patti said...

It looks and sounds delicious. I am definitely going to try it.

Thank you for sharing,
Patti

We Are Not Martha said...

I love apple cider, and in doughnut form too, so I'm pretty sure I would love this cake! And I'd probably eat it with a big mug of hot apple cider :)

Sues

PeggyR said...

Oh my gosh that sounds wonderful!

Miss Meat and Potatoes said...

I love how honest you are about it not delivering...yet that amazing picture beckons me to try it. Hmm...

Rachana said...

I'm sorry that it didn't live up to your expectations. It looks pretty though :-)

Sheila Fretz said...

This looks really yummy it remindfs me of a Orange Pound cake that I make.

Lyndas recipe box said...

Too bad the cake didn't deliver the flavor-that's always disapointing. It looks beautiful and sounds like it would be delicious.
Have a great day Mary!

Alessandra said...

Oh Mary, this looks simply stunning!! I would never have thought of making a cake with apple cider...

Ciao
A.

Jen_from_NJ said...

Now I am craving an apple cider doughnut! I am sorry that the cake was disappointing - it sure looks good.

George said...

Looks great!

flying eagle woman said...

I WANT TO GO HOME RIGHT NOW AND BAKE THIS!!!! DANG!
Good one:-)
Shawna

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