Irresistible Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe: Fall’s Sweetest Treat

Memories of autumn come flooding back with this delectable apple cider donut cake that captures the essence of crisp fall mornings.

Warm spices dance through a tender crumb, infusing each slice with nostalgic comfort.

The apple cider creates a rich, deep flavor that makes this cake truly special.

Cinnamon and nutmeg swirl throughout the batter, promising a delightful sensory experience.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice that echoes classic bakery treats.

The golden-brown exterior hints at the moist, flavorful interior waiting to be savored.

Let this cake become your new favorite seasonal indulgence that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 12

What You Need for Apple Cider Donut Cake

• Apple Cider: Concentrates intense apple flavor and adds moisture to create a rich, deep taste profile.
• Buttermilk: Provides tender crumb and subtle tanginess that enhances overall cake texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cake structure and ensures smooth, consistent crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Creates necessary lift and lightness in the cake's texture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Delivers warm, aromatic autumn spices that complement apple cider's essence.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor notes.

• Butter: Contributes rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients, adds structure, and creates smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds subtle depth.
• Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Creates crispy, sweet exterior that mimics traditional donut coating.

Tools That Make Donut Cake a Fall Favorite

• Bundt pan: Essential for creating the cake's classic ring shape and even baking.
• Small saucepan: Perfect for reducing apple cider to concentrate its flavor.
• Medium mixing bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for creaming butter and sugars.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps create light, fluffy batter quickly.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottom.
• Toothpick or cake tester: Helps check cake's doneness.
• Pastry brush: Useful for applying melted butter on warm cake.

Bake Your Apple Cider Cake: Instruction

• Boil Down The Cider

Simmer apple cider in a pan until it reduces to one cup, creating a concentrated liquid gold that will infuse deep apple flavor into your cake. Let it cool completely before using.

• Prep Your Baking Zone

Heat the oven to a cozy 350F and lovingly coat your bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter and flour to ensure a smooth cake release.

• Create The Dry Mixture

Whisk together flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a bowl, creating a cloud of aromatic potential that will give your cake its perfect texture.

• Whip The Base

Cream butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy, light mixture that looks like sweet clouds, beating for about 2-3 minutes.

• Build Your Batter

Add eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and reduced cider. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing gently until everything just comes together.

• Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, filling your kitchen with warm, spicy aromas.

• Finish With Flair

Once the cake is still warm, brush with melted butter and shower with cinnamon sugar, creating a crispy, sparkly exterior that will make everyone swoon.

• Serve And Celebrate

Let the cake cool completely, then slice and enjoy theal combination of apple, spice, and pure comfort.

Tips for Boosting Apple Spice in the Batter

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that creates a tender crumb.
• Swap buttermilk with almond or oat milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use dairy-free butter alternatives for a plant-based version.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the cake's structure and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 weeks for longer preservation.
• Enhance the apple cider taste by adding a splash of apple brandy to the batter or garnishing with caramelized apple chunks for extra depth and texture.

How to Present Apple Donut Cake at Any Table

• Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Showcase this stunning bundt cake as the star of your weekend brunch spread, perfectly paired with crisp coffee or warm spiced tea.
• Cozy Autumn Afternoon Treat: Slice thick wedges and serve alongside a mug of hot apple cider, creating a warm and nostalgic dessert experience that captures fall's essence.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust with extra powdered cinnamon sugar and add a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent touch that elevates the cake's rich apple flavors.
• Party Potluck Champion: Transport the whole cake on a beautiful serving platter, garnished with fresh apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon, making it an irresistible dessert option for gatherings.

Keep Donut Cake Fresh for Days

• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature or 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Slice the cake before freezing, placing parchment paper between layers. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Keep the cake covered with a cake dome or loose plastic wrap at room temperature, ensuring maximum moisture retention for optimal taste and texture.
• Place a slice of bread next to the cake to maintain softness and prevent drying out during storage. Replace the bread slice every day to keep the cake deliciously moist.

FAQs

• What are the key spices used in this Apple Cider Donut Cake?

The key spices are cinnamon and nutmeg, which give the cake its warm, classic donut-like flavor and aromatic profile.

• Why do I need to reduce the apple cider?

Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor, making the cake more intense and rich in apple taste, similar to the deep flavor of traditional apple cider donuts.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk provides tanginess and helps create a tender crumb, so it’s best to stick with buttermilk. If you don’t have it, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

• What makes this cake different from a regular cake?

This cake mimics the flavor and texture of apple cider donuts by using reduced apple cider, warm spices, and a cinnamon sugar coating, giving it a distinctive donut-like character.

Mouthwatering Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

This Apple Cider Donut Cake brings classic fall flavors into a moist, tender dessert perfect for autumn gatherings. Warm spices and caramelized apple notes create a comforting treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) apple cider (reduced to 1 cup)
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Cider Reduction: Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until reduced to one cup, concentrating its essence. Cool to room temperature.
2. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter and flour.
3. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ground cloves in a mixing bowl until perfectly combined.
4. Butter Creaming: Cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, creating a voluminous base for the cake.
5. Wet Ingredient Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly. Blend in vanilla extract and reduced apple cider until smooth and uniform.
6. Batter Assembly: Alternately fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently to maintain batter’s delicate structure.
7. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, testing with a toothpick for complete doneness.
8. Finishing Touch: Rest cake in pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Brush warm cake with melted butter and generously coat with cinnamon sugar mixture.
9. Serving Preparation: Allow cake to cool completely, enabling flavors to meld and texture to set before slicing and serving this autumnal delicacy.

Notes

Reduce Apple Cider Strategically: Concentrate the cider’s flavor by simmering slowly, watching carefully to prevent burning and achieve a rich, intense apple essence without scorching.

Prevent Cake Density: Mix batter gently and minimally to avoid developing gluten, which creates tough texture. Fold ingredients just until combined for a tender, light crumb.

Butter and Sugar Technique: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy, creating air pockets that guarantee a soft, delicate cake structure with optimal volume.

Perfectly Coat Cake: Apply cinnamon sugar coating while cake remains warm to help mixture adhere beautifully, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and gorgeous caramelized exterior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg