Apple Cider Donut Cake

This Apple Cider Donut Cake is soft, moist, warmly spiced, and packed with cozy apple cider flavor. Finished with melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar coating, it has all the comforting flavors of a classic apple cider donut in an easy homemade cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake

1½ cups apple cider
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan.

Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 10–15 minutes, until reduced to about ¾ cup.

Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or 10-inch Bundt pan.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

Set aside.

4. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla.

5. Make the Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk.

Begin and end with the dry ingredients.

Pour in the reduced apple cider and mix just until combined.

Don’t overmix the batter.

6. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, depending on the pan used, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar

While the cake is baking, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

Melt the butter separately.

8. Coat the Cake

Let the cake cool in the pan for approximately 10–15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a serving plate.

Brush the entire surface generously with melted butter.

Immediately sprinkle or gently press the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cake.

9. Serve

Slice and serve the cake slightly warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy it with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe Tips

Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor and gives the cake a stronger apple-cider taste.
Let the reduced cider cool before adding it to the batter.
Room-temperature butter and eggs help create a smoother batter.
Don’t overmix after adding the flour, or the cake can become dense.
For an extra apple flavor, fold ½ cup finely diced apples into the batter.
Add a simple apple cider glaze instead of the cinnamon-sugar coating for a different finish.
Store the cake covered at room temperature for 2–3 days.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days and bring to room temperature before serving.

Prep & Cooking Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35–45 minutes
Servings: 10–12

Meta Description

Make a soft and moist Apple Cider Donut Cake with reduced apple cider, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, brown sugar, and a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating.