Nothing says fall like the cozy flavors of an apple cider donut cake. This easy bundt cake takes everything you love about apple cider donuts—the sweet apple flavor, warm spices, and tender crumb—and transforms it into a beautiful, sliceable cake.
It’s perfect for weekend baking, apple picking season, or bringing to a fall gathering. With simple ingredients like apple cider, apple sauce, and warm spices, this recipe delivers big flavor without complicated steps. Whether you’ve been to the apple orchard or just love homemade apple treats, this apple cider donut bundt cake brings the best of autumn to your table.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
This apple cider donut cake is packed with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that bring rich apple flavor and a soft, tender texture. Here’s everything you need to make this delicious apple cider donut bundt cake:
Dry Ingredients:
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon apple pie spice (optional, adds extra fall flavor)
• ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
• 1 cup fresh apple cider (or best apple cider you have)
• ½ cup apple sauce (unsweetened recommended for moisture)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For the Topping:
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
This ingredient list combines apple cider, apple sauce, and warm spices to give the cake the signature taste of your favorite apple cider donuts, with a soft crumb and sweet cinnamon topping.
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make your apple cider donut cake perfectly soft, full of apple flavor, and ready to enjoy. Using a bundt pan gives the cake its beautiful shape, just like your favorite apple cider donut bundt cake from the bakery.
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Ingredients
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a bundt pan generously with butter or non-stick spray, making sure to coat all sides of the cake pan.
Step 2: Reduce the Apple Cider
• Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan.
• Simmer over medium heat until reduced to about ½ cup. This concentrates the apple flavor. Let cool slightly.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs, both sugars, oil, vanilla, apple sauce, apple cider vinegar, and the reduced apple cider.
Step 5: Make the Batter
• Gradually add the dry ingredients and the apple mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix the cake batter to keep the cake tender.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
• Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
• Check doneness with a cake tester. The center of the cake comes out clean when ready.
Step 7: Cool and Finish
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack.
• While still warm, brush the cake with the melted butter.
• Mix sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the warm cake for the classic apple cider donut finish.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing. You’ll love how this moist cake with sweet, spiced notes tastes just like an apple cider doughnut, perfect for fall baking.
Pro Tips and Variations
This apple cider donut cake is easy to make, and with a few simple tips, you’ll get the best flavor and texture every time. Here’s how to make this cake recipe even better:
Pro Tips for Best Results
• Use Fresh Apple Cider: For bold apple flavor, use fresh apple cider or the best apple cider you can find. Avoid using apple juice, which is sweeter and less concentrated.
• Reduce the Cider: Don’t skip reducing the apple cider mixture. It deepens the flavor and keeps the cake from turning into a dry cake.
• Don’t Overmix: Stir the cake batter until just combined to keep a soft, tender cake texture.
• Grease the Bundt Pan Well: To avoid sticking, coat the bundt pan thoroughly, including the sides of the cake pan.
• Test for Doneness: Insert a cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is a moist, fully baked dessert.
Easy Variations
• Add Apple Pieces: Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh apple, diced small, for extra texture.
• Apple Pie Twist: Add a pinch of apple pie spice to the topping for more fall flavor.
• Caramel Apple Finish: Drizzle caramel sauce over the warm cake for a caramel apple inspired dessert.
• Spice Cake Option: Increase the cinnamon and apple pie spice to make it taste more like a classic spice cake.
• Make It Your Own: After making the cake, sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar over the top or swap in homemade apple sauce for a richer flavor.
These tips help you make this cake light, fluffy, and filled with sweet, spiced apple cider goodness every time.
Serving Suggestions
This apple cider donut cake is the perfect fall treat that works for any occasion. It combines the sweet, cozy flavor of apple cider donuts with the simplicity of a bundt cake. Here’s how to serve it for the best results:
How to Serve:
• Slice the cake once it has cooled completely and the topping has set.
• Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel for a caramel apple twist.
• Pair slices with coffee, tea, or hot apple cider for a comforting treat.
• Add whipped cream or ice cream for dessert after dinner.
Occasions to Serve:
• Ideal for fall gatherings, holidays, or after a trip to the apple orchard.
• Enjoy during apple picking season with friends and family.
• Perfect for brunch, a cozy weekend bake, or as an autumn dessert.
Storage Tip: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can warm the cake slightly before serving to bring back the soft, moist cake texture. This apple cider bundt cake tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for make-ahead treats.
Conclusion
This apple cider donut cake brings together everything you love about apple cider donuts sweet apple flavor, warm spices, and a soft, moist cake texture all in one easy bundt cake. Whether you just came back from apple picking, visited the apple orchard, or simply want to enjoy a cozy fall cake, this recipe delivers. With simple ingredients like fresh apple cider, apple sauce, and a cinnamon sugar topping, this cake is packed with flavor. It’s easy to make, perfect for sharing, and tastes just like a homemade apple treat from your favorite bakery. If you’re craving a dessert that feels like autumn, this apple cider donut bundt cake is the perfect choice.
Apple Cider Donut Cake
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider fresh or best quality
- 1/2 cup apple sauce unsweetened recommended
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Topping Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons melted butter for brushing the cake
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for topping
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan thoroughly, coating all sides of the cake pan.
- In a small saucepan, reduce the apple cider over medium heat to about 1/2 cup. Let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugars, oil, vanilla, apple sauce, apple cider vinegar, and the reduced apple cider.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing the cake batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Insert a cake tester in the center of the cake—if it comes out clean, it’s done.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Brush the warm cake with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 22g
- Added Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 3% Daily Value
FAQs
What is special about apple cider donuts?
Apple cider donuts have a rich, spiced apple flavor thanks to the use of apple cider in the batter. They are known for their soft, tender cake texture and sweet cinnamon sugar coating, making them a classic fall dessert.
What does apple cider do in baking?
Apple cider adds moisture, enhances apple flavor, and creates a soft crumb in baked goods like this apple cider donut cake. Reducing the cider mixture also boosts flavor without making a dry cake.
How long will apple cider donuts last?
Apple cider donuts or apple cider doughnut cake are best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep the cake moist.
How to heat apple cider donuts?
For a bakery-fresh feel, warm leftover slices of apple cider donut cake in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Warming enhances the softness and boosts the apple flavor.
How do you keep apple cider donuts fresh?
To keep apple cider donuts or this cake fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
What is a substitute for apple cider in donuts?
If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice as a substitute. However, for the best results and stronger apple flavor, it’s recommended to make your own apple cider or use fresh apple cider if possible.
