Cozy Autumn Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe: A Rustic Delight

Sweet aromas of warm autumn apple cider donut cake drift through kitchens, promising pure comfort.

Crisp breezes and falling leaves inspire nostalgic baking moments that connect us to cherished memories.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a dessert that whispers stories of cozy gatherings.

Soft, tender crumbs infused with classic apple cider spices invite delightful indulgence.

Bakery-style magic happens right in your own kitchen with this simple yet spectacular treat.

Buttery layers meld perfectly with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, transporting you to countryside orchards.

Bake this cake and watch faces light up with pure deliciousness.

Why Apple Cider Donut Cake Stands Out

• Craft a delectable apple cider donut cake that captures autumn's warmth in minutes.
• Whip up this impressive dessert with simple ingredients and basic baking skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels.
• Create a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing cake that transforms traditional donut flavors into an elegant bundt-style dessert everyone will adore.
• Serve this crowd-pleasing cake at brunches, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings, delivering a delightful taste of seasonal comfort with minimal preparation.

Everything You Need for Apple Cider Donut Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake, select unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a soft, tender crumb.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that enhance the classic apple cider donut flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall taste of the cake.

• Apple Cider: Key flavor component, reduced to concentrate its sweet and tangy essence.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and slight tanginess, creates tender cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and warmth to the cake's flavor.
• Butter: Softened butter creates rich, moist cake with excellent texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness to the cake.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a tender crumb.
• Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Creates a classic donut-like exterior with sweet, spicy coating.

Making Apple Cider Donut Cake from Scratch

Step 1: Concentrate Apple Cider

Pour apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer until liquid reduces to one cup. Allow liquid to cool completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm oven to 350F (175C). Coat bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick spray or butter and flour.

Step 3: Blend Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt

Whisk ingredients together until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat mixture until texture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Incorporate Liquid Elements

• Eggs (one at a time)
• Vanilla extract
• Reduced apple cider

Mix until smooth and consistent.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to wet mixture. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 7: Bake Cake

Transfer batter to prepared bundt pan. Smooth surface with spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 8: Create Donut Coating

While cake is warm, brush surface with melted butter. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over entire cake.

Step 9: Serve Deliciously

Allow cake to cool completely. Slice and enjoy.

Smart Ideas for Apple Cider Donut Cake Success

• Reduce Cider Perfectly: Simmer apple cider on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure concentrated flavor. Watch closely as liquid reduces to prevent scorching.
• Buttermilk Substitution: No buttermilk? Create a quick replacement by adding one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk, then let sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly grease bundt pan with butter and dust with flour, or use non-stick baking spray to ensure smooth cake release without tearing.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the cake's center- if it comes out clean with minimal crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
• Enhance Cinnamon Flavor: Toast ground cinnamon briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the recipe to intensify its warm, rich aromatic profile and deepen the cake's overall taste.

Storing and Reheating Apple Cider Donut Cake

• Store leftover apple cider donut cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore moisture and enjoy a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
• If serving within 1-2 days, keep the cake covered at room temperature to maintain its soft, moist texture.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Cider Donut Cake

• Complement the apple cider donut cake's rich cinnamon notes with a steaming mug of chai latte or mulled apple cider, enhancing the warm, cozy autumn flavors.
• Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the cake's spicy sweetness and provide a cool, smooth texture.
• Drizzle salted caramel sauce over each slice or enjoy with a caramel macchiato to amplify the cake's deep, buttery undertones and create a decadent dessert experience.
• Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts around the cake plate, or pair with a hazelnut liqueur to introduce a delightful crunch and subtle earthy complexity to each bite.

Apple Cider Donut Cake: Fun Twists to Try

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and choose a vegan-friendly sugar.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated and brown sugar, and decrease the amount of cinnamon sugar topping.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute buttermilk with coconut milk or almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use coconut oil instead of butter.

Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Warm autumn breezes carry memories of sweet Apple Cider Donut Cake, inviting comfort and nostalgia with each delectable slice. Cinnamon-kissed crumbs and tender texture promise delightful moments shared with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) apple cider (reduced to 1 cup)
• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk

Topping Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Intensify the apple cider’s flavor profile by gently simmering it in a compact saucepan, reducing the liquid until it concentrates to approximately one cup. This transformation typically requires 10-15 minutes of patient cooking. Allow the reduced cider to cool to room temperature.
2. Calibrate the oven temperature to 350F (175C). Meticulously prepare a bundt pan by coating its entire interior with non-stick baking spray or a strategic butter and flour combination.
3. Construct the dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly whisking flour, leavening agents, warm spices, and salt in a medium mixing vessel. Ensure complete integration of the powdery components.
4. Transform butter and sugars into a luxurious, aerated mixture by vigorously beating them until the texture becomes exceptionally light and voluminous. This process requires approximately 2-3 minutes of consistent blending.
5. Incorporate eggs individually, allowing each to fully amalgamate before introducing the next. Follow with vanilla extract and the previously cooled apple cider reduction. Blend until the mixture achieves a harmonious, smooth consistency.
6. Create the cake batter by carefully alternating between dry ingredients and buttermilk. Begin and conclude with the dry mixture, mixing gently to prevent overworking the batter.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared bundt pan, carefully smoothing the surface to ensure even distribution. Bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges completely clean.
8. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack. While still warm, generously brush the exterior with melted butter and lavishly coat with a cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Permit the cake to cool entirely, allowing flavors to settle and texture to stabilize before slicing and presenting this aromatic autumn-inspired dessert.

Notes

• Reduce apple cider gently to concentrate its rich, tangy flavor and create a deeper, more intense apple essence in the cake.
• Choose high-quality, fresh apple cider from local orchards for the most authentic and robust apple taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that results in a tender, soft cake texture.
• Use a light hand when mixing dry and wet ingredients to prevent overmixing, which can make the cake dense and tough instead of delightfully moist and tender.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 145 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg