Apple Cider Pound Cake - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• Vegetable shortening and flour for pan
• 2 cups unfiltered apple cider
• 3 cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
• ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1½ cups butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¼ to ⅓ cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• ¼ cup pecan pieces or halves, lightly toasted if you wish
• 4 cups unfiltered apple cider
• ½ cup Calvados, applejack, brandy, or bourbon
• ⅓ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon ground mace
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract