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Apple Cider Donut Cake

Apple Cider Donut Cake

Warm, spiced, and delightfully moist, this Apple Cider Donut Cake combines the cozy charm of a fall baked dessert with the nostalgia of a sweet treat you’ll crave all season long.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp baking powder (aluminum-free)
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (freshly ground if possible)
  • Pinch ground clove (optional; adds warmth)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for deeper flavor)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature; use pasture-raised for richer yolks)
  • 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened apple cider (choose cloudy cider for more texture)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 1/4 cup (60g) plain whole-milk Greek yogurt (sub sour cream)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 2–3 tbsp apple cider (plus extra to thin)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan and dust it with flour, tapping out the excess—this trick makes release a breeze.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Breaking up any lumps now ensures a uniform spice finish.
  • In a second bowl, whisk granulated and brown sugars with eggs until pale and slightly fluffy—about 1½ minutes by hand, or 30 seconds with your stand mixer on medium.
  • Pour in apple cider, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla. Whisk gently until the batter looks silky; avoid overmixing or you’ll tighten the crumb.
  • Fold the wet mix into the dry ingredients with a spatula, scraping sides. A few streaks of flour are okay—residual mixing in the pan will finish the job. Scrape batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 28–32 minutes, rotating halfway through. A toothpick or cake tester inserted near the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Let the cake cool in its pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then release the springform. Transfer the cake (still on the rack) until it’s room temperature—this prevents glaze from melting into the cake.
  • Whisk powdered sugar with 2 tbsp cider and cinnamon until thick but pourable; add more cider, a teaspoon at a time, to reach drizzly consistency.
  • Drizzle the cider glaze over the top, letting it drizzle down the sides. For extra finesse, sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon or a few chopped roasted pecans.

Notes

• I learned that using cloudy apple cider (versus clear) gives a slightly denser crumb and more authentic “donut” flavor. • If your cake seems a bit domed, trim the top after cooling and save those scraps for a fun trifle. • For extra moist texture, brush the cake with a spoonful of leftover cider just out of the oven. • Make sure your Greek yogurt is not too thick—thin it with a splash of milk if needed for easy mixing.
Keyword Apple Cider Donut Cake, Baked Cake, Cozy Treat, Donut Flavor, Fall Dessert
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