Description
This Apple Cider Doughnut Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines the warm spices of cinnamon and the tangy sweetness of apple cider, offering a delightful twist on classic doughnuts in a convenient cake form. Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy treats, this cake boasts a tender crumb with a cinnamony sugar coating that mimics the classic doughnut glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 15.25 ounce box Yellow cake mix or Spice Cake Mix
- 1 cup apple cider (NOT apple juice and NOT apple cider vinegar)
- ½ cup cinnamon applesauce (not chunky)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, apple cider, cinnamon applesauce, and eggs. Beat well until smooth. Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the mixture, blending thoroughly to infuse the flavors.
- Prepare baking pan: Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly or use a non-stick spray such as Baker’s Joy, which contains flour to prevent sticking effectively.
- Bake cake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean when the cake is done.
- Cool cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes to firm up slightly for easier handling.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: While the cake cools, in a separate small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon and ¼ cup granulated sugar, mixing well for the coating.
- Coat cake: Brush the entire cooled surface of the cake evenly with melted butter, then generously rub the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered surface until fully coated, mimicking the cinnamon sugar topping of traditional doughnuts.
Notes
- You can use a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix for more pronounced warm spice flavors.
- Cinnamon applesauce should be smooth, not chunky, for even mixing in the batter.
- Adjust cinnamon quantities in both the batter and coating to your preferred level of cinnamon flavor intensity.
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help create a smoother batter and better rise.
- Allowing the cake to cool slightly before applying the cinnamon sugar coating helps it to stick better without melting off.
