Moist Apple Cider Donut Cake (Bakery-Style)

The Ultimate Apple Cider Donut Cake: A Taste of Autumn From Scratch

Estimated reading time: 7–9 minutes  |  Prep time: 25 minutes  |  Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus cooling)

Key Takeaways

• Intense Autumn Flavor: This cake uses a special apple cider reduction to pack a deep, authentic flavor that tastes just like a fresh donut from an apple orchard.
• Incredibly Moist Crumb: The combination of buttermilk, oil, and grated apple creates an ultra-moist, tender texture that stays fresh for days.
• Beginner-Friendly Recipe: With simple, straightforward steps, this homemade cake is easy to master, making it a perfect family-friendly dessert.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve it for breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a show-stopping dessert for holiday gatherings.
• Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly: The cake base freezes beautifully, allowing you to prepare it in advance and add the crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping just before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

Imagine the nostalgic taste of a warm, freshly made apple cider donut from your favorite fall festival. Now, imagine that same cozy, spice-infused flavor baked into a rich, moist, and incredibly tender cake. That’s exactly what you get with this spectacular Apple Cider Donut Cake. This recipe transforms a simple Bundt cake into an unforgettable autumn dessert, complete with a crunchy, buttery cinnamon-sugar crust that perfectly mimics the classic donut experience. It’s the ultimate homemade treat to celebrate the season.

What sets this recipe apart is the concentrated apple cider reduction. By simmering down fresh cider, we create an intense, syrupy flavor base that infuses every bite of the cake with pure apple goodness. Combined with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake delivers a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile. The batter, enriched with both butter and oil, plus tangy buttermilk and freshly grated apple, guarantees a perfect texture that is never dry. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a family get-together, or just a simple weekend treat, this easy dessert is sure to become your new fall favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Using high-quality, room-temperature ingredients is the key to achieving the perfect texture for this apple cider donut cake. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Apple Cider Reduction

• Fresh Apple Cider: 1 1/2 cups (360ml) – The star of the show! Use fresh, unfiltered cider if possible for the best flavor. This will be reduced to concentrate its essence.

For the Cake Batter

• All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups (360g) – Provides the main structure for the cake.
• Leavening Agents: 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – These work together to give the cake its beautiful lift.
• Warm Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice – The classic trio that makes this cake taste like autumn.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g), at room temperature – Adds rich flavor and contributes to a tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: 1/2 cup (120ml) – The secret to an ultra-moist cake that stays fresh longer.
• Sugars: 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar and 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar – A combination for sweetness, moisture, and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Large Eggs: 3, at room temperature – Binds the batter and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 tablespoon – Complements the warm spices and apple flavor.
• Buttermilk: 1 cup (240ml), at room temperature – Adds moisture and a slight tang, creating a wonderfully soft texture.
• Tart Apple: 1 large (like Granny Smith), peeled and grated – Adds extra moisture and pockets of apple flavor throughout the cake.

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g), melted – Helps the sugar mixture adhere to the cake, creating that signature donut crust.
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (200g) – For the classic sweet coating.
• Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons – Provides that iconic, fragrant donut flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a flawless Apple Cider Donut Cake from scratch. Breaking the process down ensures a perfect result every time.

Part 1: Preparation

1. Create the Cider Reduction: Pour 1 1/2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a lively simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds, leaving you with approximately 1/2 cup of concentrated, syrupy cider. This step is crucial for a deep apple flavor. Set it aside to cool completely before using.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meticulously grease and flour a 10- or 12-cup Bundt pan. Use a pastry brush to ensure every nook and cranny is coated with softened butter or baking spray with flour to prevent sticking.

Part 2: Mixing the Batter

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Whisking for 30 seconds ensures the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, which is key for a uniform rise and flavor.
4. Cream Butter, Sugars, and Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale in color. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the wet ingredients (the buttermilk and cooled cider reduction, which you can combine in one measuring cup) in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix only until the last streaks of flour have just disappeared. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fold in the Apple: Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a silicone spatula to gently fold in the grated apple. The batter for your Apple Cider Donut Cake will be thick. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.

Part 3: Baking and Finishing

7. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a long wooden skewer into the thickest part of the cake. It’s ready when the skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.
8. Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the Bundt pan on a wire rack for exactly 15 minutes. This cooling time is crucial; it allows the cake to set up so it won’t fall apart, but it’s still warm enough to release from the pan easily. After 15 minutes, carefully invert the cake onto the wire rack to cool completely.
9. Apply the Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Once the cake is fully cool, use a pastry brush to generously coat the entire outside of the cake with melted butter. Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the buttered surface, pressing gently to help it adhere. Ensure the cake is completely coated for that perfect donut finish.

Baking Tips, Variations & Substitutions

Pro Tips for the Perfect Apple Cider Donut Cake

• Don’t Skip the Reduction: Reducing the apple cider is the most important step for achieving a deep, authentic apple cider flavor. Regular cider will not be strong enough. Make sure it has cooled before adding it to the batter.
• Room Temperature is Key: For a smooth, emulsified batter, ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are all at room temperature. This prevents the batter from curdling and results in a more tender cake.
• Grease Your Bundt Pan Meticulously: Bundt pans are notorious for sticking. Use baking spray with flour, or go the old-fashioned route: coat the pan thoroughly with softened butter, then dust it with flour, tapping out any excess.
• Avoid Overmixing: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until they are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a tender, donut-like crumb.
• Measure Flour Correctly: For the best results, weigh your flour with a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag.

Easy Variations You Can Try

• Add Nuts: For extra crunch and nutty flavor, fold in 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts with the grated apple.
• Maple Glaze: Instead of the cinnamon sugar, you can top the cake with a simple maple glaze. Whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup and a splash of milk.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the spice blend for an even warmer, more complex flavor profile.
• Different Pan Shapes: If you don’t have a Bundt pan, this recipe works in two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13-inch pan. Adjust the baking time accordingly, checking for doneness around 30-35 minutes.

How to Serve & Store Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

This Apple Cider Donut Cake is absolutely divine served warm or at room temperature. Its rich flavors make it a perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee, black tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For a more decadent dessert experience, serve a slice with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

To store your cake, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. We do not recommend refrigerating it, as the cold air can dry out the crumb and dull the flavors. If you want to enjoy a warm slice after the first day, simply microwave it for 10-15 seconds to restore its soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture. For more baking inspiration, try our reader-favorite moist banana bread recipe!

Watch: How to Make It

Frequently Asked Questions