If you’re a fan of apple cider donuts, this Apple Cider Donut Cake will quickly become a favorite. It’s soft, moist, and infused with warm spices and tangy apple cider, creating a delicious, donut-inspired cake that brings all the cozy flavors of fall to your table. Topped with a simple apple cider glaze, this cake is perfect for autumn gatherings, weekend baking, or just enjoying with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Let’s get started on how to make this flavorful, fall-inspired cake!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or low-fat)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or non-stick spray, and set it aside.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This step ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and helps prevent clumps in the batter.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another medium bowl, combine the apple cider, melted butter, eggs, and Greek yogurt. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. The Greek yogurt adds a nice tang and keeps the cake moist.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this ensures your cake stays soft and tender. The batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 5: Pour the Batter and Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and use a spatula to smooth the top evenly.
Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The cake should be golden brown on top, with a delicious aroma of apple cider and spices filling your kitchen.
Step 6: Cool the Cake
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
While the cake cools, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider, and ground cinnamon until smooth and slightly thickened. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more apple cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 8: Glaze the Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the apple cider glaze over the top. You can do this using a spoon or fork for a rustic look, or pour the glaze evenly over the cake for a more polished finish. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing.
Serving and Storage Tips:
- Serving: This cake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence. A hot cup of coffee, tea, or apple cider makes a perfect pairing for this cozy dessert.
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days, but let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unglazed cake for up to 2 months. Once completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. When ready to serve, thaw the cake at room temperature and add the glaze before serving.
Helpful Notes:
- Apple Cider: Use real apple cider for the best flavor—not apple juice. Apple cider has a deeper, more concentrated apple flavor that really shines in this cake.
- Greek Yogurt: This ingredient helps keep the cake moist and adds a bit of tangy richness. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can substitute it with sour cream or plain yogurt.
- Spice it Up: If you love warm spices, feel free to add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the batter for even more fall flavor.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs:
- Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) suggests reducing apple cider in a saucepan before adding it to recipes. This intensifies the apple flavor for a richer, deeper taste in baked goods.
- Claire Saffitz recommends using full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream for the best texture and moistness in cakes, as it adds a creamy richness without making the cake too dense.
- Molly Yeh adds that sprinkling a little cinnamon sugar on the top of the cake right after glazing gives it a fun, crunchy texture that mimics the coating on apple cider donuts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
It’s best to use real apple cider for this recipe, as apple juice doesn’t have the same concentrated flavor. However, in a pinch, you can use unsweetened apple juice.
2. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
3. Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?
Absolutely! Sour cream works just as well as Greek yogurt, giving the cake the same moistness and slight tang.
4. What can I add for extra texture?
For some added texture, you can fold in chopped apples, nuts, or raisins to the batter before baking.
5. Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking is the most common reason for dry cakes. Be sure to check the cake with a toothpick after the minimum baking time and remove it from the oven once it’s done.
6. Can I make cupcakes instead of a cake?
Yes! This batter works wonderfully for cupcakes. Divide the batter evenly into a lined cupcake pan and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. What if I don’t have cinnamon or nutmeg?
You can use pumpkin pie spice as a substitute, which typically contains cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices.
8. How do I know when the cake is done?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no wet batter sticking to it. It should also spring back slightly when pressed gently.
9. Can I use a bundt pan instead of a round cake pan?
Yes, you can use a bundt pan! Just make sure to grease and flour it well, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven.
10. Can I skip the glaze?
While the glaze adds a nice touch of sweetness and flavor, you can skip it if you prefer a more subtle sweetness in your cake. The cake itself is delicious on its own!
This Apple Cider Donut Cake is the perfect fall dessert, combining the flavors of a classic apple cider donut in the form of a soft, moist cake. With its warm spices, sweet apple glaze, and tender crumb, this cake will quickly become a go-to for fall gatherings or cozy nights at home. Enjoy!