This Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake combines the warm, cozy flavors of an apple cider donut with a moist homemade pound cake. Made with apple cider, applesauce, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, then brushed with melted butter and coated in cinnamon sugar, it's the perfect cake for fall.
If you love those warm apple cider donuts that start showing up every fall, this cake gives you those same flavors in Bundt cake form.
The apple cider and applesauce add apple flavor and moisture, while a combination of butter and oil helps create a tender crumb. Once the cake comes out of the oven, it's brushed with melted butter and covered in cinnamon sugar for that classic apple cider donut finish.
Serve it with coffee, hot tea, or a glass of apple cider for an easy fall dessert.
Video Tutorial
What Is Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake?
Apple cider donuts are a popular fall treat flavored with apple cider and warm spices and often coated in cinnamon sugar.
This recipe takes inspiration from those flavors and turns them into a homemade Bundt-style pound cake.
The cake itself contains apple cider, applesauce, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. After baking, it's brushed with melted butter and immediately sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
The result is a moist, warmly spiced cake with a sweet cinnamon coating that gives you that familiar apple cider donut flavor.
What Makes This Apple Cider Donut Cake So Amazing
This recipe is more than just a cake-it's a cozy, nostalgic experience in every bite. Here's what sets it apart:
- Bold apple cider flavor - Instead of relying only on spices or apple extract, this cake uses real apple cider.
- Warm, comforting spice blend - Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of allspice or clove work together to create the spiced apple donut flavor.
- Moist, tender crumb - The applesauce and cider help keep the cake tender. It doesn't dry out or become heavy with time.
- Cinnamon-sugar coating - What makes this a "donut" cake is the finishing touch. Brushing warm cake with butter and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar gives it a crackly, sweet crust that evokes real cider donuts.
- Better on day two - Wait until the next day to cut it for more enhanced flavor.
Recommended tools and equipment
- Bundt Pan (A 12-cup bundt pan is needed for this recipe.)
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Silicone Spatula
- Oven Thermometer
- Cake Keeper
- Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
Ingredients You'll Need
Apple Cider
Apple cider gives the cake its signature apple flavor. Make sure you're buying apple cider-the drink-not apple cider vinegar! 😂
If you are unable to find apple cider, Apple Cider Drink mix is also a great option. It is in powdered form. Simply follow the instructions on the package. I used it for this recipe, and it tasted delicious!
Applesauce
Applesauce adds additional apple flavor and moisture to the cake.
Butter and Vegetable Oil
This recipe uses both. Butter contributes flavor, while vegetable oil helps keep the cake moist and tender.
Granulated and Brown Sugar
Granulated sugar provides sweetness, while light brown sugar adds additional flavor and moisture.
Eggs
Use room-temperature eggs, so they incorporate smoothly into the batter.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour gives the cake its structure.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda
This recipe uses both baking powder and baking soda for leavening.
Cinnamon, Ginger and Nutmeg
These warm spices create the cozy flavor associated with apple cider donuts.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla rounds out the apple and spice flavors.
Serving Suggestions for Apple Cider Donut Cake
This apple cider donut bundt cake is best enjoyed slightly warm. Here are a few delicious ways to serve it:
- With a hot drink: Pair with apple cider, coffee, or spiced tea for the ultimate fall treat.
- With Ice Cream Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- For breakfast or brunch: A slice of this cake warmed is the perfect start to the day or brunch snack.
Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake
Use room-temperature ingredients. Room-temperature butter and eggs will incorporate more easily into the batter.
Don't overmix. Once you begin adding flour, mix only until everything is combined.
Measure your flour carefully. Too much flour can result in a dry or dense cake.
Use apple cider, not vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is an entirely different ingredient and shouldn't be substituted.
Prepare your Bundt pan thoroughly. Pay special attention to the grooves and center tube.
Don't wait too long to add the cinnamon sugar. Brush the cake with butter and add the cinnamon sugar while the cake is still warm so it will easily stick.
Don't rely solely on the clock. Check the cake with a toothpick or wooden skewer to determine when it's actually finished.
Can I Use Apple Juice Instead of Apple Cider?
Apple juice can work in a pinch, but I recommend using apple cider for the best flavor.
Apple cider provides a deeper apple flavor that works especially well with the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in this cake.
How to Store Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake
Once completely cooled, store your pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
For longer storage, the cake can be frozen whole or in individual slices.
Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake recipe
Equipment
- Bundt Pan (12 cup)
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Silicone Spatula
- Oven Thermometer
- Cake Keeper
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 2 ½ c all-purpose flour- sifted
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tsps cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 c apple cider
- ½ c applesauce
- ¼ c vegetable oil
- ¾ c granulated sugar
- ⅓ c light brown sugar
- ½ c (1 stick) of unsalted butter - room temperature
- 2 large eggs- room temperature
- 2 tsps vanilla
- For the topping:
- ⅓ c granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter- room temperature/melted
Instructions
- For the Pound Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt and sit to the side.
- In a separate dish whisk the apple cider and applesauce together.
- Using a hand or stand mixer, mix ½ c of butter, ¼ c of oil, ¾ c of granulated sugar, and ⅓ c of brown sugar until combined (approximately 2 minutes).
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix just until combined.
- Add the flour alternating with the apple cider mixture, beginning with the flour and ending with the flour, just until combined.
- Pour the batter into your greased 12-cup bundt pan and bake the cake for approximately 40-50 minutes. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out clean/with moist crumbs. Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan.
- For the topping:
- In a bowl, combine ⅓ c of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
- While the cake is still warm, brush the melted butter on the cake and immediately sprinkle it with the cinnamon sugar. (It is best to complete this step in sections.)
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Cider Donut Cake actually a pound cake?
This recipe is my pound-cake-inspired version of an apple cider donut, baked in a Bundt pan and finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating.
Does this cake contain fresh apples?
No. The apple flavor comes from apple cider and applesauce.
Does Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake need a glaze?
Nope! The butter and cinnamon-sugar coating is the finishing touch and gives the cake its signature apple cider donut flavor.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Allow the cake to cool completely, then wrap it well before freezing. You can freeze the whole cake or individual slices.
More Fall Pound Cakes You'll Love
Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake - warm, cozy, and full of spice!
Gingerbread Pound Cake - buttery, tender, and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting and pecans.
Mile High Sweet Potato Pound Cake with a Bourbon Caramel Glaze is a must-have addition to your dessert menu!
Another dessert with apples topped with a delicious crumble - Green Apple Crumble Pie
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