Apple Cider Donut Cake
This apple cider donut cake tastes just like an apple cider donut from an orchard, but in cake form. It is a moist apple cider bundt cake coated in brown butter apple cider and cinnamon sugar coating. Then, it is topped with an apple cider glaze. This recipe is perfect for fall.
This apple cider cake is the definition of fall for me. During fall, I love to get an apple cider donut from an orchard. There is nothing better! This cake tastes just like that. Even better because it also has a glaze!
I have tips and tricks and process photos to easily help you make this recipe! If you love apple cider desserts, you have to try my apple cider cookies.
Tips for making the cake
Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe! See my post for how to make brown butter for more tips.
- Tip 1: Use a large frying pan to brown the butter more quickly and easily. You want to brown butter until the milk deposits separate and turn amber in color.
- Tip 2: Flour- Make sure to spoon and level the flour. If you place the measuring cup directly into the flour, this will compact the flour. This leads to your cookies not spreading.
- Tip 3: I used this bundt pan it is a 10 cup pan. Use baking nonstick spray very evenly to make the cake doesn’t stick.
- Tip 4: To decorate the cake, first brush with apple cider and brown butter. Then, you want to pat on the cinnamon sugar. Do this on top of a wire rack and cookie sheet to contain the mess.
- Tip 5: The apple cider glaze needs to be pourable consistency but not too drippy. Pour on top of the cake and let it pour down naturally.
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For more apple cider recipes, try my apple cider donuts and apple cider muffins.
Make sure to leave a star review if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
Recipe Video
Apple Cider Donut Cake
This apple cider donut cake is made in a bundt pan. It is a super moist cake coated in apple cider browned butter and cinnamon sugar mixture. It is topped with apple cider glaze.
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Ingredients
The Cake
- 1 cup Oil, canola or vegetable
- 1 1/4 cups Brown sugar, packed light or dark
- 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup Apple sauce, unsweetened room temperature
- 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 3 Large eggs, room temperature
- 2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
- 3 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Apple cider, room temperature
Apple Cider Browned Butter
- 2 TBSP Butter
- 1 TBSP Apple cider
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2/3 cup White granulated sugar
- 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- Pinch Of salt
Apple Cider Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 TBSP Apple cider
Instructions
Apple Cider Donut Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a large 10 cup bundt pan with baking non-stick spray. Spray very very well to prevent the cake from sticking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour, 3 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1 tsp Baking powder, 1 tsp Salt, 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- In a separate bowl, mix the oil, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, eggs, apple sauce, and apple cider.1 cup Oil, 1 1/4 cups Brown sugar, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 3/4 cup Apple sauce, 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 3 Large eggs, 1 cup Apple cider
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour into bundt pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a cooling rack. It should come out clean. Let it cool completely before decorating.
Apple Cider Browned Butter
- In a frying pan on medium, heat the butter until it melts. Keep whisking. It should become bubbly and then foamy. Next, the milk deposits will separate and the butter will start to brown. Once it starts to brown, take off the heat.2 TBSP Butter
- Mix in the apple cider and set aside.1 TBSP Apple cider
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.2/3 cup White granulated sugar, 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg, Pinch Of salt
- Place the bundt cake on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath it to catch the mess. Coat the cooled bundt cake with the brown butter by using a pastry brush. Coat it completely. Then, immediately coat the cake with cinnamon sugar. You want to pat on the cinnamon sugar.
Apple Cider Glaze
- Right before serving, mix the sifted powdered sugar and 2 TBSP of apple cider with a whisk. It should be a light and pourable consistency but not too thin.1 cup Powdered sugar, 2 TBSP Apple cider
- Pour glaze all over the cake. Keep cake at room temperature or chilled in fridge. Let cake get to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a scale. Compacted flour can cause a dry cake.
High altitude baking- Add 2 extra TBSP of flour
Cake- Make sure eggs and apple cider are room temperature before baking.
Calories: 354kcal, Carbohydrates: 60g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 264mg, Potassium: 78mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 34g, Vitamin A: 50IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!
I haven’t made the cake yet, but I love how you include the ingredients and amounts in the recipe directions! BRILLIANT!! Can’t wait to make this for an all-day munchie when the grandkids come for Thanksgiving!
Have you tried using gluten free flour to make it GF?
Baked this twice, both times the cake stuck to the pan. It’s a brand new Bundt pan with no scratches etc. first time tried it with a heavy coat of non stick cooking spray, second time with crisco. Neither times did the cake properly release from the pan. Any suggestions?
You need to use baking spray. If you use cooking spray, it will stick to the pan. Baking spray has flour in it and is right next to the pam at the grocery store.
Such a good recipe! I made them into little Bundt cakes, baked for about 20 minutes and they came out sooo yummy. They were a big hit, can’t wait to make it again! Yielded about 12 mini bundts
I made this last weekend and it was delicious! The perfect cake to enjoy with coffee, ice cream, or even by itself. I shared it with family and friends and everyone asked me to make it again soon. A big hit! Thanks for an awesome recipe – definitely a keeper ❤️
I noticed in the video and instructions, you did not use an electric mixer. Do you just whisk all ingredients by hand?
I am so looking forward to making this cake.
Yes you just need a whisk!
This worked exactly as written, thanks! I just made this and it came out wonderful. I cooked up some apples for the sauce as I have a lot of apples to use. Plus I put it in loaf pans. I gave one to my neighbors who plowed my driveway this morning but won’t take any money. I give this an A+
Delicious and so easy!
Could you make this in mini silicone Bundt molds? If so how would you adjust your baking time?
I have done this, it bakes for about 15-20 minutes. Like cupcakes.
This recipie is always a hit! It comes out perfect every time and everyone asks for it for family dinners or birthdays and holidays!
This is a really delicious, moist bundt cake. I made a different apple cider bundt cake before making this one and this recipe has a stronger flavor, which, I was looking for. I’ve made this recipe twice and have had trouble moving the cake off of the cooling rack. The first time it completely broke in half. The second time I greased the cooling rack first but still had to use a spatula to help pry it off and it still was a struggle to keep it intact. I’ve never run into this issue before. Next time I may put parchment paper down. Outside of that, this is an easy to follow recipe and a very tasty treat!
Great cake recipe. Added 1 cup of grated apple. Left cinnamon sugar off. Came out delicious. Great with a hot cup of coffee. Everyone loved it.
So delicious!!! Literally tastes just like the donuts from the pumpkin farms but even better if you can believe it!
I just started my baking journey and this has been the best one I’ve done so far! Thank you for the recipe!
Really delicious recipe and super easy to make.
This was hands down the best recipe I have made this fall! It was so easy to make the the cake was so moist with a fantastic crumb. I will definitely make this again!
This was hands down the best recipes I have made this fall! It was so easy to make the the cake was so moist with a fantastic crumb. I will definitely make this again!
One of the easiest recipes I have ever made! Amazing! My family loved it!! Next time I’m going to make a little more brown butter so I can really coat the cake!
This cake was so good and so easy to make. I ended up eating two slices once it cooled down! It’s even better than apple cider donuts
I made this to bring to my sisters birthday yesterday, and it was so popular!
I know it says that this is a perfect fall recipe, but for me, this just tastes like Christmas! And I will definitely makes this as a Christmas treat.
Definitely 5 stars! Again!
This cake had incredible flavor and so moist!