Amazing Apple Cider Donut Cake: 1 Easy Recipe

Oh, hello there! I’m Daniel, and I started Reciqa because, honestly, I just love sharing good food. For me, cooking has always been this wonderful way to connect with people, to bring a little comfort and joy into our everyday lives. It’s not about fancy techniques or complicated dishes; it’s about creating happy memories around the table, whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a special dessert. And speaking of special desserts, get ready for this incredible Apple Cider Donut Cake! If you’re like me and just adore those cozy fall vibes, you’re going to fall head over heels for this. It captures all the magic of a freshly baked apple cider donut – that perfect moist, spiced cake with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar kiss – but in an incredibly easy cake form. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for your fall baking list!

Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Cider Donut Cake

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row! Baking is so much easier when everything is prepped and ready to go. You’ll want to have all your ingredients measured out and ready to mix. We’re talking about fresh apple cider, cold butter, eggs, sugars, oil, sour cream, and all those lovely spices that make this cake smell like autumn heaven. Don’t forget your flour and leavening agents! Having everything measured beforehand makes the whole process a breeze, kind of like how a good recipe should be. We’ve got all the exact amounts listed out for you right below in a nice, neat table.

Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious cake. Make sure your butter is cold for the reduction and then at room temperature for the topping – it makes a difference! And don’t skimp on the fresh apple cider; it’s the star here.

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh Apple Cider	1-½ cups	You’ll reduce this down, so start with more than you think you need!
Unsalted Butter	4 tablespoons (66 grams)	Cold and diced for the cider reduction.
Large Eggs	2	Room temperature is best.
Granulated Sugar	⅓ cup (70 grams)	For the cake batter.
Brown Sugar	½ cup (110 grams)	Lightly packed. This really adds to the moistness!
Light Olive Oil	⅓ cup (70 grams)	Or any neutral-flavored oil.
Sour Cream	¼ cup (66 grams)	Or Greek yogurt works too for extra tang and moisture.
Baking Powder	1-½ teaspoons	Make sure it’s fresh!
Baking Soda	½ teaspoon	Essential for lift.
Ground Cinnamon	1-½ teaspoons	This is for the cake itself.
Allspice	Pinch	Just a hint adds depth.
Coarse Kosher Salt	¼ teaspoon	Balances the sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour	1-¾ cups (210 grams)	Spoon and leveled.
Butter	1 tablespoon	Cool room temperature for the topping.
Granulated Sugar	¼ cup (50 grams)	For the cinnamon-sugar topping.
Ground Cinnamon	1 teaspoon	For the delicious cinnamon-sugar topping.

Crafting Your Delicious Apple Cider Donut Cake

Okay, now for the fun part – making this cake! It’s really not complicated at all, and the results are just *so* worth it. We’ll start by getting that apple cider reduced, which is where a lot of that intense flavor comes from. Then we’ll mix up our batter, pour it in, bake it, and finish it off with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar topping that just screams “fall.” Trust me, your kitchen is going to smell amazing!

Preparing the Apple Cider Reduction

First things first, let’s get that apple cider going. Grab a large sauté pan and pour in your 1-½ cups of apple cider. We’re going to boil this down until it’s reduced by about half. This usually takes around 5 minutes, but keep an eye on it. You’re looking for it to thicken up just a bit. Once it’s reduced, you want to measure it out to make sure you have about ¾ cup. If you have a little more or less, that’s okay, but aim for that mark. Now, carefully add your 4 tablespoons of cold, diced butter to the hot cider and whisk it all together until the butter is melted and combined. This little step adds a lovely richness and helps create that signature donut-like flavor.

Mixing the Cake Batter

While the cider mixture cools slightly, let’s get the cake batter going. In a medium bowl, whisk together your eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Then, pour in your olive oil and sour cream (or Greek yogurt – it works great too!). After that, add your baking powder, baking soda, 1-½ teaspoons of cinnamon, that pinch of allspice, and the salt. Give that a good whisk until it’s all beautifully combined. Now, slowly whisk in that reduced apple cider and butter mixture we made earlier. It might look a little thin, but don’t worry! Finally, gently stir in your flour. Just mix until it’s *just* combined – you don’t want to overmix, or your cake might get a little tough. A few little flour streaks are totally fine at this stage.

Baking and Finishing Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

Before you even started mixing, you should have preheated your oven to 350°F (175°C). Go ahead and butter or spray a 9-inch square baking dish. I find lining it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides, makes it super easy to lift the cake out later. Pour your glorious batter into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly. Now, pop it in the oven for about 22 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s puffed up and looks golden brown around the edges. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for just 5 minutes – this is important! While it’s still warm, brush the top with that 1 tablespoon of butter that’s at a cool room temperature. In a small bowl, mix together the ¼ cup of granulated sugar and the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this delicious mixture all over the buttered top. Then, carefully remove the cake from the pan using the parchment overhang and let it cool a bit more on the rack before slicing into squares. Enjoy that amazing aroma!

Tips for the Perfect Apple Cider Donut Cake

Making this Apple Cider Donut Cake is pretty straightforward, but a few little tricks can really elevate it from good to absolutely amazing. First off, don’t skip reducing that apple cider! That’s where all the concentrated flavor comes from, and it makes a world of difference. Also, when you’re mixing the batter, try not to overdo it once you add the flour. Just mix until it’s combined; overmixing can lead to a tougher cake, and we want this to be super tender and moist, just like a good donut. Make sure your butter for the topping is soft enough to spread but not melted, so it adheres nicely and creates that perfect base for the cinnamon sugar. And for the best texture, let the cake cool for those crucial 5 minutes in the pan before you try to remove it. It just makes everything easier and prevents any sad sticking!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cider Donut Cake

Got questions about this delightful Apple Cider Donut Cake? I’ve got answers! It’s super common to wonder about substitutions or how to get the best flavor, especially when you’re trying something new. Let’s clear a few things up so your baking adventure is smooth sailing.

Q1. Can I use store-bought apple cider mix instead of fresh apple cider?
Oh, I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe. The magic of this cake comes from the real apple cider reducing down and concentrating its flavor. Those powdered mixes just won’t give you the same depth or moisture. Stick with the good stuff – fresh or refrigerated apple cider is best!

Q2. My cake seems a little dense, what did I do wrong?
Don’t worry, it happens! Usually, a dense cake means the batter was overmixed after the flour was added. Try to mix just until you don’t see any dry flour streaks. Also, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh and active. Sometimes, not reducing the cider quite enough can affect the texture too, so make sure you get that ¾ cup mark!

Q3. How long does this Apple Cider Donut Cake stay fresh?
This cake is definitely best enjoyed within a couple of days. Because it’s so moist from the cider and sour cream, it stays nice at room temperature for about 2 days if you keep it covered tightly. If you need it to last longer, pop it in the fridge, but I always suggest letting it come back to room temp before you serve it so it doesn’t taste so firm.

Q4. Can I make this cake in a different pan, like a Bundt pan?
You sure can! A Bundt pan would be lovely, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time. Since Bundt pans are deeper, it will likely take longer for the center to cook through. Start checking around 30-35 minutes and use the toothpick test (it should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter). You might want to reduce the cinnamon-sugar topping slightly if you use a smaller Bundt pan, or just make extra!

Understanding the Nutrition of Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

Now, let’s talk about what goes into this delicious treat. While this Apple Cider Donut Cake is all about comfort and flavor, it’s good to have a general idea of the nutritional breakdown. Keep in mind that these numbers are estimates and can vary a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the type of oil or if you use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It’s a dessert, so it’s meant to be enjoyed as a treat!

Estimated Nutritional Breakdown

Here’s an approximate look at the nutrition for one square serving of this cake. Remember, these are just guidelines!

Nutrient	Amount
Serving Size	1 square
Calories	350
Sugar	35g
Sodium	150mg
Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	7g
Unsaturated Fat	11g
Trans Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	45g
Fiber	1g
Protein	3g
Cholesterol	50mg

Storing and Reheating Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

This Apple Cider Donut Cake is so good, you might just have leftovers! And don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to keep it tasting delicious. The best part is how simple it is to store and reheat, so you can enjoy that cozy fall flavor whenever the craving strikes. We want to make sure it stays as moist and tasty as possible!

Storing Leftover Apple Cider Donut Cake

Once your cake has cooled down a bit, storing it is a breeze. The best way to keep this cake fresh is in an airtight container. If your kitchen isn’t too warm, you can leave it right on the counter for about 2 days. The sugars in the cake and the topping help preserve it a bit. If you think it might get warm or you want it to last a little longer, pop that container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for up to 4 days that way, but remember to let it sit out for a bit before serving so it’s not too firm!

Reheating Your Apple Cider Donut Cake

If you’ve stored your cake in the fridge and want to bring back that lovely warmth and softness, reheating is super simple. You can just pop a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. It doesn’t need long at all! This will warm it up just enough to make it feel fresh and bring out all those delicious spiced apple flavors again. You could also gently warm it in a toaster oven for a few minutes if you prefer, but the microwave is quick and easy!

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