Cozy Apple Cider Donut Cake
A warm, cinnamon sugar-coated cake inspired by classic apple cider donuts, offering a tender crumb and cozy fall flavors without the fuss of frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sugar coating: ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour.
- Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of apple cider into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by half, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in thirds, alternating with the cooled apple cider reduction, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan lightly to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 40 minutes.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet.
- Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon sugar coating evenly over the warm cake to form a crunchy crust.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Do not rush the apple cider reduction to ensure concentrated flavor. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake tender. Apply cinnamon sugar coating while the cake is warm but not hot for best crunch. Use non-stick spray or butter to grease the pan. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and milk alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cider cake, donut cake, cinnamon sugar cake, fall dessert, easy cake recipe, cozy dessert, homemade donut cake