If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly captures the cozy, spicy essence of fall, look no further than this Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe. It’s a luscious blend of tender cake infused with real apple cider, warmly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and finished with a caramelized cider glaze that gives each bite a delightful crisp sweetness. This cake is a celebration of the apple orchard in every forkful!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Bold fall flavors: The combination of apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg sends your taste buds straight into autumn bliss.
Moist, tender crumb: This cake stays wonderfully soft and melts in your mouth, thanks to the cider and buttery batter.
Show-stopping presentation: The bundt shape glazed with a sticky cider syrup looks impressive but is easy to make.
Versatile dessert: Whether for a holiday gathering, a weekend treat, or a cozy night in, it pairs beautifully with everything from coffee to ice cream.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Building this Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe is delightfully simple, relying on a handful of kitchen staples boosted by fresh apple cider. Each ingredient plays a special role, from lifting the batter to creating that unforgettable spiced aroma and tender texture.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cake that provides structure and a soft crumb.
- Baking powder and salt: These activate the rise and balance flavors perfectly.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic fall spices that infuse warmth and depth.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, helping the cake stay tender.
- Brown and granulated sugar: Both give sweetness and enhance the cake’s moist texture; brown sugar especially adds a caramel note.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and help with a fluffy rise.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a mellow, fragrant sweetness that complements the spices.
- Apple cider: The star ingredient, lending acidity, moisture, and unmistakable apple flavor.
How to Make Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. This ensures your spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the cake for a consistent, flavorful crumb.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In your mixer bowl, beat the butter with both brown and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this takes around 3-5 minutes. This step is key for a silky texture and a wonderfully tender bite.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
One at a time, beat in the eggs, scraping down the bowl after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract. This will add moisture and richness, creating the perfect base for the apple cider’s tangy sweetness.
Step 4: Combine Flour and Apple Cider
Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three parts, mixing just until combined. Then, with the mixer on low, slowly pour in the apple cider and mix gently to keep the batter light but fully blended. Scrape the bowl well before transferring to your prepared bundt pan.
Step 5: Bake and Make the Cider Glaze
Bake the cake at 350°F for about 40-50 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. While it’s baking, simmer 2 cups of apple cider until reduced down to a syrupy ⅓ cup, then stir in butter—this will become your heavenly glaze.
Step 6: Glaze and Sugar Coat
Once the cake is slightly cooled but still warm, brush on the cider glaze generously. Sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture, pressing gently to help it stick all over the warm cake for that iconic, perfectly crisp outside.
How to Serve Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra demerara sugar or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving to give a lovely sparkle and extra crunch. A few thin apple slices or a sprig of fresh thyme can add an elegant touch and fresh aroma.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the warm spices. For a cozy brunch, serve alongside a hot cup of spiced tea or freshly brewed coffee, which perfectly complements the apple notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Use a rustic wooden board or a bright autumn-themed plate for serving to highlight the cake’s golden hues. Cut into thick slices and offer cinnamon sticks or tiny jars of extra cider glaze on the side for guests to drizzle more if they wish—a fun interactive twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Apple Cider Donut Cake tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature; it stays moist and flavorful for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration, which can dry the cake out, unless your kitchen is extremely warm.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the cake perfectly with plastic and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature to preserve the moist texture and luscious spice flavors.
Reheating
Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive that freshly baked feel. You can also reheat the entire cake in a low oven covered with foil for 10-15 minutes to gently bring back the tender softness and warm glaze.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes, fresh apple juice can substitute for apple cider, but note that cider tends to have more natural depth and spiciness. If using juice, you might want to add a pinch more cinnamon and nutmeg to get that authentic apple cider flavor.
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What’s the secret to getting the sugar to stick well on the glaze?
Applying the sugar while the glaze and cake are still warm helps it adhere beautifully. Pressing the sugar gently with your palm ensures an even coating that adds an irresistible crunchy texture on the outside.
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Can I make this cake vegan or dairy-free?
While this recipe relies on butter and eggs for flavor and texture, you can experiment with vegan butter and flax eggs as substitutes, but results may vary. The rich buttery glaze also would need a dairy-free butter alternative for that finishing touch.
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How do I know when the cake is fully baked?
The best indicator is a toothpick inserted into the center coming out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The edges will be golden brown and the top should spring back lightly when touched.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe enough if you want to fill your kitchen with the sounds and smells of fall baked into one perfect cake. It’s not just a dessert—it’s a cozy hug on a plate. Give it a try and let it become your go-to seasonal favorite that delights friends and family alike!
Print
Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Cider Donut Cake is a moist, spiced cake infused with apple cider and topped with a sweet cider glaze and cinnamon sugar coating. Inspired by classic apple cider donuts, this bundt cake combines warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors with a tender crumb, making it a perfect fall dessert or cozy treat served warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature (20 Tablespoons, 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider
For the coating:
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons demerara or turbinado sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 12 cup bundt pan with Baker’s Joy or another non-stick spray with flour to ensure easy release of the cake.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bowl to incorporate fully. Then beat in the vanilla extract.
- Incorporate dry ingredients and cider: Add the dry flour mixture in three additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. With the mixer on the lowest speed, slowly pour in the apple cider in a steady stream, mixing until fully incorporated. Scrape the bowl to ensure the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a plate.
- Make the cider reduction: While the cake bakes, bring 2 cups of apple cider to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Reduce to a low boil and cook, stirring every 10 minutes, for about 30 minutes until thickened and reduced to approximately ⅓ cup. Remove from heat and stir in the salted butter until melted.
- Prepare the sugar coating: In a bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, demerara (or turbinado) sugar, and cinnamon.
- Glaze and coat the cake: While the cake is still warm, brush the cider reduction generously all over the outside of the cake. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, then use the palm of your hand to press additional sugar onto the sides to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. It is best enjoyed fresh but reheats beautifully.
Notes
- Leftovers should be stored wrapped in saran wrap at room temperature.
- We prefer to serve the cake warm for the best flavor and texture.
- Individual slices reheat beautifully in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
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