Mini Apple Cider Cakes

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease, flour, and line with parchment a half sheet pan or 9" x 13" pan.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and molasses until smooth.

Mix in the boiled cider, vegetable oil and eggs.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, or black cocoa, and salt.

Add the flour mixture alternately with the water until all is combined. Stir in the apples. Spread into the prepared pan.

Bake until the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the middle, about 30 to 40 minutes (the 9" x 13" pan will take the longer amount of time; the half sheet pan, the shorter).

Remove from the oven, and cool in the pan for 1 hour. If cutting the large cake into circles for mini layer cakes, place it in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours before cutting. The cake circles will come out perfectly if the cake is frozen.

To prepare the frosting, sift the Instant ClearJel with the confectioners' sugar. Add to the cream and start whipping it. When the cream reaches a soft peak, put it aside.

Whip the cream cheese, vanilla, and lemon oil together until fluffy.

Whisk in 1/4 of the whipped cream and stir until completely combined. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream.

For mini layer cakes, use a 2 3/4" biscuit cutter to cut 20 circles out of the cake baked in the half sheet pan.

Frost half of the cake circles, top with the remaining circles and top that with a dollop of frosting.

Sprinkle with the garnish of your choice: crystallized ginger, a dusting of cinnamon mixed with confectioners' sugar, or toasted nuts.