Quick Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe: Fall’s Sweet Magic

When autumn’s crisp breeze whispers through the kitchen, nothing beats the warmth of a homemade apple cider donut cake that captures the essence of fall’s most beloved flavors.

Sweet memories of county fairs and orchard visits dance through every bite of this irresistible dessert.

Fragrant spices mingle with rich apple notes, creating a comforting treat that warms the soul.

The recipe blends the classic charm of traditional donuts with the simplicity of a rustic cake, making it perfect for weekend baking adventures.

Soft, moist crumb and a delicate cinnamon-sugar coating promise a delightful experience that echoes the cozy spirit of the season.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this delectable creation that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary autumn indulgence.

Apple Cider Donut Cake Ingredient Guide

• Cake Flour: Provides delicate texture and soft crumb for a tender cake.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent to help cake rise beautifully.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth and classic apple cider donut flavor.
• Nutmeg: Brings subtle, earthy warmth to complement the spice profile.
• Ginger: Introduces gentle, zesty undertone for complexity.

• Butter: Creates rich, velvety foundation with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake structure.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel notes and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Sour Cream: Ensures incredible moisture and tangy undertone.
• Apple Cider: Infuses authentic orchard-fresh flavor and moisture.

• Grated Apples: Introduces fresh fruit texture and natural sweetness.
• Melted Butter: Helps cinnamon-sugar coating adhere perfectly.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Mimics classic donut exterior with irresistible crunch.

Baking Tools You’ll Need for Donut Cake

• Bundt pan: 10-12 cup size, essential for creating the cake's signature shape.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs smoothly.
• Rubber spatula: Perfect for gently folding ingredients without deflating the batter.
• Medium mixing bowls: Needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for combining sour cream and apple cider evenly.
• Sifter: Helps blend dry ingredients and remove any lumps.
• Wire rack: Allows cake to cool completely after baking.
• Toothpick: Helps test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
• Pastry brush: Used for evenly coating cake with melted butter.

How to Make Apple Cider Donut Cake from Scratch

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a cozy 350°F and nestle a rack right in the center, creating the perfect warm environment for your delightful cake.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Sift together the cake flour with warming spices, creating a fragrant and silky mixture that will give your cake its signature apple cider charm.

• Butter and Sugar Harmony

Whip room temperature butter until it transforms into a fluffy cloud, then introduce sugars, blending them until they become light and dreamy.

• Egg and Vanilla Infusion

Gently incorporate eggs one by one, letting each blend smoothly into the batter, then splash in vanilla for an extra layer of warmth.

• Liquid Magic

Whisk sour cream and apple cider until they create a smooth, tangy liquid that will make your cake incredibly moist.

• Careful Mixing

Softly fold dry ingredients and liquid mixture into the batter, being gentle to keep the cake’s delicate texture.

• Apple Surprise

Fold in freshly grated apples, distributing them evenly to create pockets of fruity delight throughout the cake.

• Bundt Pan Transformation

Spray your Bundt pan generously, ensuring every curve and crevice is ready to cradle your cake.

• Baking Moment

Bake for about an hour, watching for that perfect golden brown color and waiting for a clean toothpick test.

• Cinnamon Sugar Finale

Once cooled, brush with melted butter and generously coat with a sparkling cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating a crisp, sweet exterior.

Cinnamon Sugar & Apple Pairing Options

• Replace cake flour with all-purpose flour by removing two tablespoons per cup and adding two tablespoons of cornstarch for a similar tender texture.
• Select crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for maximum flavor complexity and moisture in the cake.
• Lightly dust apple pieces with flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, placing a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and maintain freshness.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or allspice to create unique flavor profiles that complement the classic apple cider essence.

Serving Apple Donut Cake for Fall Vibes

• Fall Flavor Companions: Pair this cake with a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a creamy caramel latte for maximum autumn enjoyment.
• Brunch Brilliance: Slice the cake and serve alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh seasonal fruit for a delightful weekend morning spread.
• Dessert Drama: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with extra cinnamon for an indulgent after-dinner treat.
• Party Presentation: Arrange cake slices on a rustic wooden board with fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an Instagram-worthy dessert display.

How to Store Apple Cider Donut Cake Properly

• Cake Freshness Strategy: Store the apple cider donut cake at room temperature, covered with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap to maintain its moist texture for up to 3 days.
• Refrigeration Technique: When storing longer than 3 days, place the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which can extend its shelf life to 5-7 days while keeping the cake's delightful flavor intact.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can last up to 2 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert lovers.
• Serving Revival Tip: Bring refrigerated or frozen cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to restore its original soft texture and enhance the warm apple cider and spice notes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55-65 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 13

Rustic Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich french-inspired apple cider donut cake celebrates autumn’s warmth with moist crumb and caramel notes. Homemade dessert promises comforting flavors that welcome seasonal gatherings with delightful sweetness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (180 g) grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 0.33 cup (79 g) apple cider, room temperature
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1.25 cups (284 g) salted butter, room temperature (2.5 sticks)
• 0.25 cup (57 g) salted butter, melted (0.5 stick)
• 1.25 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 0.67 cup (133 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g) dark brown sugar
• 0.67 cup (153 g) sour cream, room temperature
• 2.5 cups (290 g) cake flour
• 2 tsps (10 ml) baking powder
• 1.5 tsps (7 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp (2 ml) nutmeg
• 0.5 tsp (2 ml) ginger
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract
• Dash of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
• Baking spray

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F, positioning the rack centrally for uniform heat circulation and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
2. Dry Ingredients: Sift cake flour, baking powder, and warm spices into a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious dry ingredient foundation.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, gradually introducing granulated and dark brown sugars to achieve a voluminous, pale mixture.
4. Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly with vanilla extract to develop a rich, smooth base.
5. Liquid Combination: Whisk apple cider and sour cream together, then gently fold into the butter mixture, alternating with dry ingredients to maintain batter integrity.
6. Apple Incorporation: Fold in freshly grated apples, ensuring even distribution without deflating the delicate batter structure.
7. Pan Preparation: Generously coat a Bundt pan with baking spray, covering all intricate ridges and curves, then pour batter evenly.
8. Baking Process: Bake for 55-65 minutes, watching for a golden exterior and confirming doneness with a toothpick test.
9. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cake in pan for ten minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Create a cinnamon-sugar coating by blending sugar and spices.
10. Final Touch: Brush cooled cake with melted butter and liberally coat with the spice mixture, ensuring complete coverage of the Bundt cake’s distinctive contours.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, uniform cake texture.
• Temperature Control: Room temperature butter and eggs blend more evenly, creating a lighter, fluffier cake structure.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Mix batter minimally to maintain air pockets, preventing a dense, tough cake result.
• Moisture Magic: Apple cider and sour cream contribute rich moisture and complex flavor depth to the final dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg