Alternative to brandy/calvados

Hi!

I'm planning to make this recipe without alcohol. What could be used instead of brandy or Calvados? It could sound crazy, but I think coffee could be amazing, to soak the dates!
Cheers!

Mathieu Garcia
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Heavenly Apple Brandy Cake
Recipe question for: Heavenly Apple Brandy Cake

4 Comments

dinner A.
dinner A. October 15, 2020
The brandy-soaked fruit is really what seems to distinguish this cake from other apple cakes. It seems like it would be unusually sweet without the liquor to cut the sugar. Perhaps consider another apple cake that doesn't highlight brandy as a flavor?
This cake is popular on this site, although I've never made it: https://food52.com/recipes/19828-teddie-s-apple-cake

My personal favorite among apple cakes is here: https://lookimadethat.com/?s=apple+cake

If you're set on this recipe, I'd second Miss_Karen's suggestion that you soak the fruit in tea since it wouldn't add even more sweetness and the tannic flavor might also offset the sweetness.
 
Miss_Karen
Miss_Karen October 13, 2020
You could use boiled cider,it's thick & syrupy. Or, spiced cider would work also. I would do Earl Grey tea or Constant Comment tea, before coffee. Coffee & apples....? No thanks.
 
Happygoin
Happygoin October 13, 2020
I think I'd use fresh apple cider if available. If not, apple juice would work. Not sure about coffee...but experimenting can be fun.
 
Nancy
Nancy October 13, 2020
Yes to experimenting and fresh apple cider.
Also, consider quality white grape juice or stone fruit juice (apricot, plum, peach).
 
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