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.

Apple cider donut cake on a plate.
Slice of apple cider donut cake next to cake.

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!

If you are looking for more bundt cake recipes, try confetti bundt cake, red velvet bundt cake, and mini lemon bundt cakes.

Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

  • Fall cake- This cake is perfect for fall with apple cider in season.
  • Moist apple cider cake- This cake uses a cup of apple cider plus apple sauce! It is incredibly moist and full of flavor.
  • Brown butter apple cider- The cake is coated with brown butter mixed with apple cider.
  • Cinnamon sugar- The cake gets coated in cinnamon sugar twice!
  • Apple cider glaze- The glaze uses powdered sugar and apple cider to make a stronger apple cider flavor.
Three slices of apple cider donut cake.

Ingredient Notes For Apple Cider Cake

  • Oil- Use canola or vegetable. I don’t recommend olive oil.
  • Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar.
  • Apple sauce- Make sure it is unsweetened. Otherwise the cake will be way too sweet.
  • Apple cider- I buy a jug of apple cider from my local grocery store during fall.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
  • Gluten free- I haven’t tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.

Step By Step Instructions

Here are the steps to make and bake the cake.

STEP 1: Spray the bundt pan. Use a flour baking spray and spray the bundt pan very well. This is the one I used.

STEP 2: Mix dry ingredients together. Make sure to use a sifter to prevent flour lumps from getting into the batter.

STEP 3: Mix the wet ingredients. Then, mix the oil, eggs, brown sugar, sugar, apple sauce, apple cider, and vanilla together. It will be watery.

STEP 4: Mix both together. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet, mix until just combined. Over mixing the batter will lead to a tough cake.

Mixing wet ingredients in a glass bowl.
Dry ingredients added.
Mixing batter in a glass bowl.

STEP 5: Bake the cake. Pour the batter into the bundt pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Cool the cake for 10 minutes in the pan to help keep the cake from sticking to the pan.

Batter in a bundt pan.
Cake baked in bundt pan.

Decorating Tips

First, brown the butter until the milk deposits separate and turn amber in color. Mix with the apple cider.

Save this Recipe!

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus youโ€™ll get new recipes from us every week!

Coat the cake with the brown butter. Be generous!

Next, use your hands to coat the cake in half of the cinnamon sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes for cinnamon sugar to soak into the butter.

Then, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on to a cookie sheet. Roll the cake into the cinnamon sugar to generously coat the cake. It needs the two layers of cinnamon sugar!

Now, top the cake with the apple cider glaze. I used all of the glaze. It should be thin enough to pour on to the cake.

Pouring glaze on top of cake.

FAQ

Can I use a 12 cup bundt pan?

Yes you can. It will just make a smaller in cake. It will taste the same!

Can I make this into donuts?

Yes you can. Use a donut pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Can I make this into muffins?

Yes you can. Bake for 20-22 minutes.

Can I use apple juice?

I have not recipe tested this. If you use it, make sure it is unsweetened.

Top view of donut cake.

Recipe Variations

  • To save time, you can skip the apple cider glaze.
  • You can also make this using mini bundt pan.

Special Tools

  • Baking spray: I use the nonstick spray that has flour in it.
  • Offset spatula: I use this to easily spread the frosting or fillings.
  • Bundt pan: I use this bundt pan.

Storing and Freezing

Store this apple cider donut cake at room temperature in an air tight container. Store up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freeze the cake into individual cake slices. Wrap them in cling wrap and store in the freezer up to 30 days.

Thaw for 1 hour before eating.

Side view of the cake.

Other Fall Recipes To Try

Try These Apple Cider Recipes

Make sure to leave me a star review below!

Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Apple cider donut cake on a plate.
5 from 52 reviews

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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

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 1/4 TBSP Baking powder
  • 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
  • 2-2 1/2 TBSP Apple cider

Instructions
 

Apple Cider Donut Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF 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, and baking powder. Set aside.
    2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour, 3 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1 1/4 TBSP Baking powder, 1 tsp Salt
  • 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. Use half of the sugar. Then, let it dry for 5 minutes. Coat again in 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. Slowly add in 1 tsp at a time until you reach the best consistency.
    1 cup Powdered sugar, 2-2 1/2 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 3 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!