Caramelized Apples:
2 c. apple cider
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1¼ lb. crisp, tart apples

Cake:
fine bread crumbs
3 c. unbleached unsifted all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
8 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 package Neufchatel cream cheese
1 tbsp. finely grated lemon rind
3 large eggs
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 c. Buttermilk

Glaze:
¼ c. apple cider
¼ c. fresh lemon juice
¼ c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar (optional)