If you love cider, you have to try this Apple Cider Cake. The combination of the spiced cake with apple cider and applesauce provides the perfect balance of warm spices and sweet apple flavor. With the crunchy cinnamon sugar topping, you get an amazing contrast with the fluffy cake. The final result is similar to an apple cider donut in texture.
This has quickly become one of my favorite fall treats. A slice is amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of coffee. It works well in a variety of ways, making it a wonderful repeat recipe. You're going to want to make this as long as you can get your hands on some apple cider!
These orange bundt cake and pumpkin spice bundt cake are more delicious fall bundt cake recipes you should try.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's budget-friendly: This is a cheap recipe, and the prices of the ingredients alone are a good reason to make this on repeat this fall. I promise that you won't be disappointed, and neither will your wallet.
- It's easy to make: Preparing and baking this apple cake is easier than you realize. It's a simple recipe that features boxed cake mix as its main ingredient. Just mix, pour, bake, and enjoy!
- It's versatile: You can serve this cake in several ways. Enjoy it as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or as a sweet breakfast with your favorite cup of tea. There are so many possibilities.
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
- Apple cider glaze: Prepare an apple cider glaze for the cake by combining some cider and powdered sugar, and drizzle it on top.
- Vanilla glaze: Combine milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for a simpler flavor, so you can still enjoy this apple cider bundt cake with glaze.
- Try another apple sauce flavor: Use a cranberry applesauce for a more tart flavor profile that still complements the cider.
- Gluten-free: Try this recipe with a gluten-free cake mix to make it friendly for anyone with an allergy or avoiding gluten in their diet.
Try making these apple pie bites if recipes like this that use apples are your thing,
How to Make Apple Cider Cake
Ensure you get started by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your bundt pan. Then, you're free to prepare the batter for this apple cider donut cake.
Step 1: Prepare the batter. Combine all the apple cake batter ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until the mixture is smooth.
Step 2: Pour it into the pan. Then, pour the mixture evenly into the prepared bundt pan and spread it out if needed.
Step 3: Bake and cool the cake. Bake the cake for about 45-50 minutes. Next, let it cool for a bit before you flip it out of the pan.
Step 4: Prepare and add the topping. Combine the cinnamon and sugar, and then brush the warm cake with melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture on top and serve after it has set for 10 minutes!
Recipe Tips
- Watch the browning of the edges: Ovens may vary, and sometimes the edges of the apple cake will brown quickly. Cover the cake with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking time so it doesn't burn.
- Don't overmix the batter: To keep your cider cake nice and soft in the middle, don't overmix it. Once the ingredients are all well incorporated, stop mixing so you don't end up with a tough texture.
- Only cool slightly in the pan: Allow the apple bundt cake only about 20 minutes max to cool in the pan before you move it to a cooling rack. It's harder to remove from the bundt pan when it's completely cooled.
If you love apple cider desserts, you should try this apple cider float.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store your cake wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature (and out of sunlight) for up to 3 days. You may place it in the refrigerator as well. Freeze it for up to 2 months with two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil.
- Reheating: Put your piece of apple cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for 10-15 seconds. This isn't necessary unless you want to eat it warm.
Serving Suggestions
- Prepare yourself a little dessert bowl with a slice of apple cake and a scoop of ice cream. I love homemade ice cream like gingerbread ice cream best.
- Enjoy an iced latte with pumpkin cold foam on top and a slice of apple cake for breakfast to truly bring in the fall.
- Another tasty dessert to serve with this recipe is a no-bake pumpkin cheesecake.
- Have a cozy bowl of stuffed bell pepper soup and a slice of apple bundt cake after for the ultimate comfort meal.
- Try serving your apple cake with a bit of our slow cooker apple butter. The flavor infusion is just mind blowing!
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 apple 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.
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
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 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 10 inch bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Be sure to get in all the cracks and crevices.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the powdered cake mix with the apple cider, apple sauce, eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake in your preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 20 minutes before flipping it out to a cooling rack.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar together.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over the entire cake.
- Before the butter sets, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire cake. You want it to stick to the butter.
- Let the cake stand for 10 minutes to set and dry. Slice and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Store the apple cake tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Don't overmix the batter to avoid a dense, tough cake.
- Try a 9x13 baking dish if you don't have a bundt pan and reduce the baking time.
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