If you love apple cider, you have to try this Apple Cider Cake Recipe. The combination of spiced cake mix, apple cider, and applesauce creates the perfect balance of warm spices and sweet apple flavor. Finished with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping, this moist cake tastes just like an apple cider donut in cake form.
Apple Cider Cake Recipe Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 15 Minutes Prep + 50 Minutes Bake Time
- 🍴 Servings: 12 Servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Sweet, warmly spiced, buttery, and packed with apple cider flavor
- 🍚 Best Served With: Coffee, tea, vanilla ice cream, apple butter, or whipped cream
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes! Bake up to 2 days ahead and store covered.
Summarize and Save This Content On
There is something magical about apple cider season, and this apple bundt cake recipe captures everything we love about fall in one delicious dessert. The combination of apple cider, applesauce, warm spices, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping creates a flavor that tastes just like an apple cider donut.
My grandma loved simple cakes that could be served for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. Recipes like this cider apple cake recipe remind me of cozy fall weekends, warm drinks, and family gatherings around the kitchen table.
This recipe was inspired by our apple cinnamon coffee cake and Lemon Bundt Cake and pairs perfectly with crockpot apple butter or a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Apple cider donut flavor: Warm spices, apple cider, and cinnamon sugar create a cake that tastes like your favorite fall donut.
- Easy and foolproof: Cake mix keeps preparation simple while applesauce and apple cider help create a cake that's soft, tender, and packed with flavor.
- Perfect for any occasion: Great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, holidays, bake sales, and fall gatherings apple cinnamon coffee cake.
Ingredients
These are the most important ingredients needed for this apple bundt cake recipe. The rest are basic for baking, like eggs and vanilla extract.
- Spiced cake mix: This is best for this recipe as the cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors pair perfectly with the apple cider. Feel free to try this with a vanilla cake mix, but you won't get the same result. Remember not to follow the ingredients on the package, as they are provided in this recipe!
- Apple cider: You'll have to wait for fall to get your hands on some tasty cider. If you have access to local apple cider, I highly recommend that you splurge because it's amazing. Try a cinnamon variety if you can find it, too.
- Apple sauce: Any brand of plain apple sauce is perfect. I recommend a natural, no sugar-added variety so you have better control over the sweetness of the cake.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Boost the flavor: Top with caramel drizzle or extra applesauce or add 1 cup of finely diced apples to batter.
- Try different applesauces: Use cinnamon applesauce, strawberry applesauce, or cranberry applesauce.
- Make it festive: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, or raisins.
Glaze Variations
- Apple Cider Glaze: For extra apple flavor, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider until smooth. Add additional cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake and allow it to set before serving. For a more concentrated apple flavor, reduce ½ cup apple cider to about 2 tablespoons before using it in the glaze.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: For a rich, tangy topping, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until creamy. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.
- Vanilla Glaze: For a simple, classic finish, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with additional milk if needed, then drizzle over the cooled cake.
Try making these apple pie bites if recipes like this that use apples are your thing,
How to Make Apple Cider Cake Recipe
This cider apple cake recipe comes together in just four easy steps. Using a boxed cake mix keeps the recipe simple while still delivering incredible homemade flavor. Don't let the beautiful bundt cake presentation fool you-this recipe is beginner-friendly and practically foolproof. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a bundt pan.
Step 1: Prepare the batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, apple cider, applesauce, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Step 2: Fill the pan. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread it evenly.
Step 3: Bake and cool. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 to 20 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack.
Step 4: Add the cinnamon sugar topping. Brush the warm cake with melted butter. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the apple bundt cake recipe. Let the topping set for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips
- Prepare and mix carefully: Grease every crevice of the bundt pan to prevent sticking and mix the batter just until combined to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Bake with confidence: Watch the cake closely near the end of baking, cover loosely with foil if it browns too quickly, and use a toothpick to check for doneness.
- Use quality ingredients: Fresh apple cider provides the richest flavor and helps create that classic apple cider donut taste.
- Cool and finish properly: Allow the cake to cool briefly in the pan before removing it, then add the cinnamon sugar topping while the cake is still warm so it adheres well.
- Store for later: Keep the cake covered to maintain moisture, make it a day ahead for even better flavor, and freeze extra slices for an easy treat anytime.
Storage Directions
- Room Temperature: Store tightly covered for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Microwave individual slices for 10 to 15 seconds if desired.
- Make Ahead: Bake up to 2 days in advance and store covered until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- For breakfast or brunch: Serve with coffee, tea, apple cider float, eggs, grandma's old fashioned fruit salad or fresh fruit.
- For dessert: Pair with vanilla or fruity pebbles ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
- For fall gatherings: Add it to Thanksgiving, Halloween, and holiday dessert tables.
- For cozy afternoons: Enjoy a slice with a latte, cappuccino, or peppermint hot chocolate.
- For apple lovers: Serve cider apple cake recipe with slow cooker apple butter or air fryer apples.
Recipe FAQs
If you don't have a bundt pan, don't worry! A 9x13 baking dish will work in a pinch. Just watch the baking time, as it will take less time with a larger surface area.
It's important to grease every crevice of your bundt pan, or you risk the cake getting stuck. Be very generous with the cooking spray, oil, or butter!
Overbaking it can make the cake very dry and crumbly. Use the toothpick test; once almost no crumbs remain on it, it's ready.
Yes, but apple cider provides a deeper, richer apple flavor.
More Delicious Apple Dessert Recipes
Do you like apple desserts? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Apple Cider Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box (13.25 oz) spice cake mix 375 g
- 1 cup apple cider 250 ml or 8 fl. oz.
- ½ cup apple sauce 4.4oz or 125g
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the Topping
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 1.8oz or 50g
- ¼ cup butter, melted 2oz or 60g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a bundt pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, apple cider, applesauce, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 to 20 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack.
- Brush the warm cake with melted butter. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the cake. Let the topping set for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Prepare and mix carefully: Grease every crevice of the bundt pan to prevent sticking and mix the batter just until combined to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Bake with confidence: Watch the cake closely near the end of baking, cover loosely with foil if it browns too quickly, and use a toothpick to check for doneness.
- Use quality ingredients: Fresh apple cider provides the richest flavor and helps create that classic apple cider donut taste.
- Cool and finish properly: Allow the cake to cool briefly in the pan before removing it, then add the cinnamon sugar topping while the cake is still warm so it adheres well.
- Store for later: Keep the cake covered to maintain moisture, make it a day ahead for even better flavor, and freeze extra slices for an easy treat anytime.
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