Apple Cider Donut Cake – Easy Fall Dessert Recipe

If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like this Apple Cider Donut Cake. Inspired by the classic orchard favorite, this cake captures everything you love about apple cider donuts — the warm spices, the tangy apple flavor, and that irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating — in an easy-to-make bundt cake.

It’s soft, moist, and coated in a sweet, crunchy layer of cinnamon sugar that glistens when warm. You’ll love how every slice melts in your mouth with cozy autumn flavors of apple, brown sugar, and spice. Best of all, there’s no frying, no glaze mess, and no hassle — just one bowl, one pan, and pure fall perfection.

Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend treat, a fall brunch, or a Thanksgiving dessert table, this apple cider donut cake recipe is guaranteed to fill your kitchen with the aroma of warm cinnamon and baked apples — and bring everyone running for a slice.

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Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Donut Cake

All the Flavors of Your Favorite Fall Donut

This cake tastes just like your favorite apple cider donuts from the farm stand — soft, buttery, and full of warm spice. The key is reducing real apple cider on the stove until it’s thick and syrupy, creating a deep, caramelized apple flavor that makes this cake unforgettable.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

No need for fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients — everything you need is already in your pantry. Butter, sugar, flour, apple cider, and a few baking staples come together to create a rich, bakery-quality dessert that feels homemade in the best way possible.

It’s the kind of recipe that feels impressive but is easy enough for weeknight baking.

Perfect for Gatherings

Whether served warm for brunch or cooled with coffee on a crisp afternoon, apple cider donut cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for fall holidays like Thanksgiving, Halloween parties, or cozy weekends when you want to celebrate the season’s best flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Cider Donut Cake

For the Cake

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
All-purpose flour	2 ½ cups (315 g)	Structure and texture
Baking powder	1 ½ tsp	Helps the cake rise
Baking soda	½ tsp	Balances acidity
Salt	½ tsp	Enhances flavor
Apple pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice mix)	2 tsp	Warm fall spice
Unsalted butter, softened	1 cup (225 g)	Rich flavor and moisture
Granulated sugar	1 cup (200 g)	Sweetness and structure
Brown sugar	½ cup (100 g)	Adds depth and molasses flavor
Eggs	3 large	Binds and adds richness
Reduced apple cider	1 cup (240 ml)	Intense apple flavor
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt	½ cup (120 ml)	Keeps cake moist and tender
Vanilla extract	2 tsp	Enhances overall flavor

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
Unsalted butter (melted)	4 tbsp (60 g)	Helps sugar stick
Granulated sugar	½ cup (100 g)	Sweet, crisp coating
Ground cinnamon	1 tbsp	Adds classic donut flavor

Recommended Cider

The star ingredient in this cake is real apple cider, not apple juice.
Apple cider is unfiltered and full of natural apple flavor, making the cake rich, aromatic, and authentically autumnal.

Pro Tip: Simmer the cider over medium heat until reduced by half — this concentrates the flavor and adds a touch of caramelized sweetness to your batter.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Cider Donut Cake

1. Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour 2 cups of fresh apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, or until it reduces to about 1 cup.
This simple step concentrates the natural apple flavor, giving your cake that signature cider donut taste. Let it cool slightly before adding it to your batter.

Pro Tip: Avoid using sweetened or flavored cider — plain, cloudy apple cider works best for a pure, rich apple flavor.

2. Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan generously with butter or nonstick spray and dust lightly with flour. This ensures your cake releases cleanly after baking and keeps its beautiful shape.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice if making your own blend). Set aside.

These spices are what make this apple cider donut cake recipe shine — the warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg brings that bakery-style donut flavor to every bite.

4. Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
This step traps air in the batter, helping the cake rise and stay tender.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra aroma.

5. Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the reduced apple cider, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined.
Then fold in the sour cream or Greek yogurt gently — this keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender.

Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing can make the cake dense instead of fluffy.

6. Pour and Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

The top should be golden brown, and your kitchen Will smell like warm apple pie — that’s when you know it’s ready.

7. Cool and Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack.
While it’s still slightly warm, brush the entire surface with melted butter.

In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, then sprinkle or roll the warm cake in this mixture until evenly coated.

The cinnamon-sugar crust gives the cake that irresistible “donut” texture — slightly crunchy outside, tender inside, and perfectly sweet.

Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donut Cake

Use Real Apple Cider, Not Juice

Apple juice is filtered and lacks the depth of flavor found in real cider. True apple cider gives the cake its bold apple aroma and natural sweetness, especially when reduced.

Don’t Skip Reducing the Cider

Reducing the cider intensifies its flavor and prevents the batter from being too wet. You’ll end up with a richer, denser apple flavor that makes this cake stand out from ordinary spiced cakes.

Keep Ingredients at Room Temperature

Butter, eggs, and sour cream blend more easily and evenly when they’re not cold. This ensures a smoother batter and a more uniform texture.

Don’t Overbake

A few extra minutes in the oven can dry out your cake. Start checking at 45 minutes — it should spring back lightly to the touch and release cleanly from the pan when done.

Make It Ahead

This cake actually tastes even better the next day! The apple and spice flavors deepen overnight, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for holidays or brunches.

Chef’s Tip:
If you’d like to give your apple cider donut cake a bakery-style look, drizzle it with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of apple cider — it adds shine and extra sweetness!

Serving and Storage

Serving Ideas

This Apple Cider Donut Cake is best enjoyed slightly warm, when the cinnamon sugar coating glistens, and the soft crumb melts in your mouth.

For an extra-special presentation, try:

• Serving slices with warm apple slices or caramel drizzle.
• Pairing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Adding a mug of hot apple cider or chai latte on the side for the perfect cozy combo.

It’s the ideal dessert for brunches, bake sales, or any fall celebration that calls for a comforting homemade treat.

Storage

Allow the cake to cool completely before storing. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

If you live in a humid climate, refrigerate the cake to preserve the sugar coating’s texture. Bring it back to room temperature before serving to restore its soft crumb.

Freezing

Yes — this cake freezes beautifully!
Wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slightly in the oven (or microwave for a few seconds) to revive the texture and aroma.

FAQ – Apple Cider Donut Cake

Conclusion

There’s something timeless about the flavor of Apple Cider Donut Cake — it’s warm, nostalgic, and feels like autumn in every bite. The rich apple cider, cozy spices, and cinnamon-sugar coating create a dessert that’s both rustic and irresistible.

Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacking, this cake combines the best parts of apple cider donuts with the ease of a one-bowl recipe. No frying, no fuss — just pure fall flavor baked into a tender, buttery cake.

Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or baking it on a quiet weekend, this apple cider doughnut cake is guaranteed to bring warmth and joy to your table. It’s a true fall essential you’ll want to bake again and again.

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