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This apple cider donut bundt cake tastes just like the warm cinnamon-sugar donuts you get after apple picking at the orchard soft, extra moist, cozy-spiced, and finished with that buttery sugar crunch. If you love apple cider donuts but don’t want the frying mess, this easy fall bundt cake brings all those nostalgic “farm-stand bakery” vibes home in one simple stir-and-bake recipe.
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I’ve been missing those warm orchard donuts, the kind you grab right after apple picking, still warm and covered in cinnamon sugar. So I had to bring that cozy fall moment home with this one. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it will be your newest favorite!
PS: If you love warm fall flavors, my baked apple cider donuts and baked pumpkin donuts are right up your alley.
Why This Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake Works
- Tastes exactly like an apple cider donut, but easier
- Soft, moist, cozy-spiced crumb with buttery cinnamon sugar crust
- Zero frying, zero yeast, just mix & bake
- Great way to use extra apple cider
- Crowd-pleasing fall dessert for gatherings & holidays
Craving cozy fall mornings? Pair a slice with a cup of my homemade crockpot apple cider or serve it after brunch with small-batch cinnamon rolls. It’s a whole fall café moment.
What is apple cider bundt cake?
Apple cider bundt cake is a cozy fall cake inspired by classic apple cider donuts from the orchard. Instead of frying dough, you bake a tender apple-spiced cake made with real apple cider and applesauce for moisture and rich apple flavor. Once baked, it’s brushed with melted butter and coated in cinnamon sugar, just like a donut, but in easy bundt form.
Ingredients for this Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this apple cider donut bundt cake. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Apple cider (reduced, not juice!) – gives real orchard flavor
- Apple sauce – moisture + extra apple boost
- Butter + oil – soft crumb + rich donut flavor
- Brown + granulated sugar – deep caramel notes + structure
- Warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, optional allspice/cardamom
- Room-temp eggs – for a smooth batter
- Neutral oil – keeps the cake plush even after cooling
How to make Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
This is how you can make your own apple cider bundt cake recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Whisk dry ingredients.
- Stir apple cider + apple sauce together.
- Beat sugars + oil + eggs + vanilla until smooth.
- Alternate wet & dry (start/end with flour — gentle mix only!)
- Bake in a greased bundt pan until golden and springy.
- Brush warm cake with butter and coat completely in cinnamon sugar.
Pan Tip: A deeper bundt pan gives that tall bakery-style rise. If you only have a shallow one, the cake still works, just shorten the bake slightly.
How do I get the sugar coating to really stick?
- Brush all sides of the warm (not hot cake) with melted butter
- Coat immediately in cinnamon sugar
- Repeat if you want a thicker “bakery crust”
Tip: Use fine granulated sugar, not coarse.
Expert Bundt Cake Tips
- Reduce your apple cider – non-negotiable for flavor
- Use cake goop or heavy spray to avoid sticking
- Don’t overmix – tender crumb comes from minimal stirring
- Let cake cool slightly before removing (keeps shape & moisture)
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
This cake is best made and enjoyed the same day especially since it has a good amount of cinnamon sugar coating.
The longer it sits the less crunchy that cinnamon sugar topping becomes so if you’re okay with that then feel free to make it in advance, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
You can store this apple cider cake in an air-tight at room temperature container for up to 2 days. I like to warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds to get it warm and fresh again.
Keep in mind that it is best on the same day!
No, this recipe is developed to work without reducing the cider, so the crumb stays soft and tender without turning gummy. If you do prefer a stronger apple flavor, you can reduce your cider first or use boiled cider concentrate, but it’s not required for this cake to turn out perfectly. If you do want to reduce it though, just make sure you are still using about 1 cup of reduced cider.
No, apple juice is sweeter and less concentrated. For the classic orchard-donut flavor, use real apple cider (fresh or refrigerated, not shelf-stable juice).
Brush the cake lightly with butter, then coat while warm, but not hot-hot. Warm cake will ensure that the sugar sticks but stays crunchy while if the cake is too hot, the sugar will melt.
Yes, just choose unfiltered, real apple cider (not spiced cider or juice).
Homemade works beautifully too!
Slightly warm (10–15 seconds in the microwave) with hot coffee, tea, or warm cider.
Apple cider donut bundt cake recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cup AP flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp all spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup apple cider
- 3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 2/3 cup oil
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
Cinnamon sugar coating
- 5 tbsp butter melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar Mix this with the cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cinnamon Mix this with the granulated sugar
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350F then generously grease a 10 cup or standard size bundt cake and set aside. I usually make my own cake goop recipe, and it always helps the cake come out of the pan so easily.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and set aside.3 cup AP flour, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cardamom, 1/4 tsp all spice, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda
- In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, mix the apple cider and the apple sauce together. and set aside.1 cup apple cider, 3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- In a large bowl, mix the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs together until smooth.2/3 cup oil, 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 large eggs
- Alternate between the dry ingredients and the apple cider mixture into the egg, oil, and sugar mixture. Make sure to begin and end with the flour, and don't overmix the batter!
- Pour the apple cider donut batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a cooling rack.
- Place the cooling rack over a large baking sheet, parchment paper, or wax paper, and brush the warm cake with the melted butter. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and serve once the cake has fully cooled down.5 tbsp butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is delicious!! Perfect, moist cake. Tastes just like an apple cider donut. You can slightly change the taste based on the kind of apple cider and applesauce you use. I will definitely make this again !
I love the tip! Thanks for the nice review 🙂
what is your recioe for the “goop” you mentioned for preparing your cake pans for perfect release?
I look forward taking this recipe!
Here is the Goop recipe I use!
This was great! Realized I didn’t have a Bundt pan (right before baking 🙄) so used two loaf pans and still turned out really well. Want to make again as mini muffins!
Mini muffins would be a great idea for this!
Delicious cake recipe and flavours very well balanced, not too sweet and just the right amount of apple and spice flavour! My whole family absolutely loved it.
That’s awesome! Thank you so much!
This cake is a “repeat” for sure! I made it and took some to work and shared with my family. Everyone was asking for more. I really think it was better the second day. The butter and topping set in more. It was heavenly!
That’s awesome Kimber! Thank you for making the recipe!
I made this for company tonight. We all enjoyed it! I think it is the perfect amount of spices and flavor. I can’t wait to enjoy tomorrow with a cup of coffee. Thank you for a great recipe. I will be trying more of yours. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻✅❤️
So happy to hear this Debra! 🙂
Such a good, comfort food type cake! I made the cake with two packets of apple cider mix in one cup of water to give it a little more apple taste and it was divine. Thinking about when I make this again to add some diced apple.