Dried Apple Stack Cakes

Name: Dried-Apple Stack Cakes
Ingredients: 9 ounces unsulfured dried apples (4 cups); 4 cups unfiltered apple cider; 3 cups water; 1/2 teaspoon ground mace; 6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; Pinch of ground cloves; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup molasses (not robust or blackstrap); 1 large egg; Equipment: 2 muffin pans with 12 (1/3- to 1/2-cup) muffin cups each; Accompaniment: lightly sweetened whipped cream