Description
This Apple Cider Doughnut Cake is a moist and flavorful bundt cake that captures the essence of classic apple cider doughnuts. Made with apple cider, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar, it offers a perfect balance of spice and sweetness, ideal for autumn gatherings or anytime you crave the cozy flavors of fall.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce box Yellow cake mix or Spice Cake Mix
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (or more if preferred)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider (NOT apple juice and NOT apple cider vinegar)
- ½ cup apple sauce (cinnamon-flavored, not chunky)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to reach the ideal baking temperature for the cake.
- Prepare Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow or spice cake mix, apple cider, cinnamon apple sauce, and eggs. Beat together until smooth. Add the ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing well to fully integrate all the flavors.
- Grease Pan: Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Baker’s Joy or a similar non-stick spray with flour is recommended for best results.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; when it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Cooling helps the cake set and makes it easier to handle for topping.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cinnamon with ¼ cup sugar thoroughly.
- Apply Topping: Brush the top and sides of the cooled cake evenly with melted butter. Then, sprinkle and rub the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire surface until it is evenly coated, giving the cake its signature doughnut flavor and texture.
Notes
- The choice between yellow or spice cake mix will affect the depth of flavor; spice cake adds warmth while yellow cake offers a lighter base.
- Use real apple cider for authentic taste; apple juice or vinegar will alter the flavor profile.
- If a stronger cinnamon flavor is preferred, increase the cinnamon in both the batter and topping accordingly.
- For best results, make sure eggs are at room temperature to improve batter mixing and texture.
- Using Baker’s Joy or another flour-containing spray for greasing the pan helps the cake release cleanly after baking.
