Print

Cozy Apple Cider Donut Cake with Cinnamon Sugar

apple cider donut cake - featured image
Print Recipe

A dense, moist cake with a crackly cinnamon sugar crust, made with reduced apple cider for intense flavor. Perfect for cozy evenings, bake sales, or any time you need a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups apple cider
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 ½ cups apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to about ⅓ cup, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 10-inch bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray. For extra insurance, dust with flour or brush with a mixture of melted butter and cinnamon sugar.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes by hand.
  5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  6. Stir cooled reduced apple cider and buttermilk into the butter mixture. Gradually add dry ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. While still warm, brush entire cake with melted butter. Immediately sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture (½ cup sugar + 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon).
  9. Let cake cool completely before slicing. For best flavor, let rest overnight before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the cider reduction—it concentrates flavor and prevents a soggy cake. Room temperature ingredients ensure a smooth batter and tender crumb. For a crunchier crust, apply a second layer of butter and cinnamon sugar. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider, donut cake, cinnamon sugar, bundt cake, fall dessert, easy cake

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/cozy-apple-cider-donut-cake-with-cinnamon-sugar/