Moist Apple Cider Donut Cake (Bakery-Style)

The Ultimate Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake: A Perfect Fall Treat

Estimated reading time: 7–9 minutes  |  Prep time: 25 minutes  |  Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Authentic Donut Flavor: This cake perfectly captures the essence of a fresh apple cider donut, thanks to a concentrated apple cider reduction and a classic cinnamon-sugar crust.
• Incredibly Moist & Tender: The combination of unsweetened applesauce and sour cream guarantees an ultra-moist crumb with a perfect, tender texture that lasts for days.
• Beginner-Friendly Recipe: With clear, step-by-step instructions, this is a simple recipe that delivers impressive, bakery-quality results, making it a family-friendly dessert project.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s the ideal centerpiece for fall gatherings, holiday brunches, or a cozy afternoon treat alongside a cup of coffee.
• Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly: This cake stores beautifully and can be frozen for up to 3 months, making it a fantastic make-ahead option for busy schedules.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake Recipe

There’s a certain magic to the fall season—crisp air, colorful leaves, and the nostalgic aroma of apple orchards. This homemade Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake captures that magic in every single bite. If you love the taste of warm, fresh-from-the-fryer apple cider donuts, this simple recipe is destined to become your new favorite easy dessert. We’ve transformed the beloved autumn treat into an elegant yet rustic bundt cake that’s incredibly moist, packed with warm spices, and coated in a delightful cinnamon-sugar crunch.

What makes this cake truly special is the concentrated apple cider reduction. By simmering down fresh apple cider, we create a potent, syrupy liquid that infuses the batter with a deep, authentic flavor that you just can’t get from cider straight out of the jug. Combined with applesauce and sour cream, the result is a cake with the perfect texture—impossibly tender and moist. The final touch of melted butter and a generous coating of cinnamon sugar creates a slightly crisp exterior that perfectly mimics a real donut.

Whether you’re looking for a stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, a cozy treat for a weekend brunch, or a simple recipe to bake with the family, this Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake delivers. It’s a delightful from-scratch cake that tastes like a warm hug and fills your home with the incredible scents of autumn.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Using high-quality, room temperature ingredients is the first step to achieving the perfect Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake. Here is everything you’ll need, broken down for clarity.

For the Apple Cider Reduction

• Fresh Apple Cider: 2 cups (480ml) – This is the star ingredient. Using fresh, unfiltered cider provides the most robust and authentic flavor.

For the Bundt Cake Batter

• All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups (360g) – Provides the structure for the cake.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda create the perfect lift and tender crumb.
• Spices: 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice give the cake its classic warm spice flavor.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (227g), softened to room temperature. Crucial for a light, fluffy texture.
• Sugars: 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar and 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar for sweetness, moisture, and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Eggs: 3 large eggs, at room temperature, to bind the batter and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon – Complements the warm spices.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: 1/2 cup (125g) – Adds natural sweetness and incredible moisture.
• Sour Cream or Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup (120g), at room temperature – Adds moisture and a slight tang, resulting in a super tender cake.

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g), melted.
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (200g).
• Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a flawless homemade bundt cake from scratch.

1. Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a steady simmer over medium heat and let it reduce for 15-20 minutes, or until you are left with about 1 cup of liquid. This concentrates the flavor significantly. Set aside to cool completely before using in the batter.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 10- or 12-cup bundt pan. Pay special attention to all the crevices to prevent sticking. A baking spray containing flour is an excellent choice for intricate pans.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Whisking aerates the flour and ensures the leaveners and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes. The mixture should become very pale, light, and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is key to a light cake.
5. Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla extract and unsweetened applesauce. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a silicone spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
6. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on its lowest speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the cooled apple cider reduction and the sour cream (two additions). Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix only until the last streaks of flour disappear. Do not overmix.
7. Bake the Cake: Carefully spoon the batter into your prepared bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.
8. Cool Before Inverting: Place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool for exactly 15 minutes. This is a critical step; it allows the cake to set up slightly so it doesn’t fall apart, but it’s not long enough for the sugars to stick to the pan. After 15 minutes, firmly tap the pan and invert the cake onto the wire cooling rack.
9. Apply the Topping: While the cake is still warm, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the entire surface of the warm cake (top and sides) with the melted butter. Immediately and generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over, pressing it gently to help it adhere. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

Baking Tips, Variations & Substitutions

Pro Tips for the Perfect Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake

• Room Temperature is Non-Negotiable: For a smooth, curd-free batter, ensure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are all at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a finer, more tender crumb. To quickly warm eggs, place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
• Don’t Skip the Cider Reduction: This is the most important step for achieving a deep, authentic cider flavor. Using cider straight from the bottle will result in a much milder, less impressive taste.
• Master the Bundt Pan Prep: Bundt cakes are notorious for sticking. The secret is to be meticulous. Use a baking spray that contains flour or the traditional method of coating with softened (not melted) butter and a thorough dusting of flour. Use a pastry brush to get into every nook and cranny.
• Avoid Overmixing at All Costs: Once you begin adding the flour, mix on the lowest speed and only until the ingredients are *just* combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough, dry, or dense cake instead of a light and tender one.
• Measure Flour Correctly: For 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 until it’s overflowing, then level it off with the back of a knife. This prevents a dry, dense cake.

Easy Variations You Can Try

• Add Nuts: For extra texture and flavor, fold in 1 cup of toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter at the very end.
• Maple Glaze: Instead of cinnamon sugar, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of milk to create a simple maple glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
• Add a Boozy Kick: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon or spiced rum to the apple cider while it reduces for a more complex, adult-friendly flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality, measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly different, but it will still be a delicious homemade treat.

How to Serve & Store Your Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake

This cake is absolutely divine served warm or at room temperature. Its rich flavor stands beautifully on its own, but for an extra-special dessert, serve a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce. It’s the perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk.

To store your Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake, keep it in an airtight container or cake keeper at room temperature for up to 4 days. Refrigeration is not recommended as it can dry out the cake’s delicate crumb. For longer storage, this cake freezes exceptionally well. Wrap the entire cooled cake or individual slices tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw it at room temperature for a few hours. Looking for another fall favorite? Try our incredible Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes next!

Watch: How to Make It

Frequently Asked Questions