Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake

If you want a cake that screams fall, this Apple Cider Donut Cake is the perfect choice. Brimming with the flavors of warm apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this cake is soft and addicting. Finish it off with a cinnamon and sugar topping for a perfect bite every time. 

Fall will forever have all my favorite flavors. Mainly because I love that spiced taste to everything. Those flavors and scents always make me feel like I have the warm fuzzies even if it’s 90 degrees outside. It’s crazy how a smell or taste can do that to you, isn’t it? Just another reason to love everything about fall. Yes, I’m one of those fall obsessed ladies. Please don’t talk me out of it. 

If you give this cake a go and love it, you’ll definitely want to give my caramel apple cheesecake bars, caramel apple pie cake, or apple cake a try too. If you were wondering, they basically bring fall to your mouth like it’s a college party. While you’re at it, you may as well try my apple caramel recipe too. Why not, right? Enjoy!

How Do You Make Apple Cider Donut Cake?

1. Prep - Preheat the oven and grease/flour a standard bundt pan. 
2. Make the batter - Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl, excluding sugars, and then mix the sugars plus the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix until just combined.
3. Bake - Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes.
4. Add the topping - Mix the cinnamon and sugar together. Brush the cake with the melted butter. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• Add a glaze - If you would like to add a glaze to your donut cake, simply mix together 2 cups of powdered sugar and 3 Tablespoons apple cider. Pour over the middle of the top and let it drain down the sides. Give it a bit to dry.
• Don’t overmix - Only mix the batter just until you don’t see flour streaks anymore. Stop at this point as you don’t want to overdo it and get too much air in the batter. 
• How do I get the cinnamon sugar to stick? - If you’re having trouble with the cinnamon and sugar mixture sticking to the sides of the cake, simply press it up against the cake with your hand and it should stick.
• Storage - Store covered, at room temp for 3-4 days. Store covered, in the fridge, for up to a week. Store in an airtight container, in the freezer, for up to 3 months. 

Common Questions About Apple Cider Donut Cake

What is a Donut Cake?

Well, this is a bit of a loaded question as a donut cake can be a great many things. Some people see a donut cake as a cake that’s built from actual; donuts. Some see a donut cake as a cake that’s made to look like a donut. As in this case, a donut cake can be made to taste like a donut. So, a donut cake can be a lot of things. 

Does Krispy Kreme Make Donut Cakes?

If they do, I think I would be in heaven. However, I’ve never heard of them offering donut cakes. Maybe they’re missing an opportunity with this, am I right?! They definitely should get on that as I think a ton of people would jump on that boat. 

Please feel free to share your experience with making this Apple Cider Donut Cake in the comments below or on social media!

More Cake Recipes You’re Sure to Love:

• Carnival Funnel Cake
• Upside Down Pineapple Bundt Cake
• Gingerbread Layer Cake
• Eggnog Layer Cake
• Peppermint Bark Layer Cake

Print

Apple Cider Donut Cake

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

50 mins

 

This Apple Cider Donut Cake is brimming with the flavors of warm apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this cake is soft and addicting. Finish it off with a cinnamon and sugar topping for a perfect bite every time. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple cider bundt cake, apple cider donut cake

Author: Jackie

Ingredients

Bundt Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup apple cider
• ⅔ cup apple sauce
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup oil
• 1 apple coarsely shredded
• 3 eggs room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 3 tablespoons salted butter melted
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a standard size Bundt pan. (Or use a spray that has flour included - otherwise, the cake will not remove easily.)
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the apple cider, apple sauce, brown sugar, white sugar, olive oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add, then stir in the shredded apple.
4. Then add the apple cider mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined. (When you don’t see any more flour, stop - do not overmix). Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. The top should bounce back when lightly pressed.
6. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove from the pan.
7. Mix together the ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to create cinnamon sugar.
8. Brush the cake with melted butter and sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You may need to press the cinnamon-sugar onto the cake to help it stick on the sides.
9. If you would like to add a glaze to your cake, just whisk together 2 cups of powdered and 3 tablespoons of cider (add more cider a tablespoon at a time depending on if you want a thinner glaze) and pour over your cake or use it as a dipping sauce.