Oh, fall! It just calls to me, doesn’t it? There’s something truly magical about the crisp air and the smell of warm spices. One of my absolute favorite things about this time of year is a trip to the local bakery for those irresistible, sugar-coated apple cider donuts. But sometimes, you want that cozy flavor without all the fuss of frying. That’s where this Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake comes in!
It takes everything you love about those tender, spiced donuts and transforms it into a simple, glorious cake. Growing up in Italy, fall baking was all about apples and warming spices, though not quite like this! Since moving to the States, I’ve fallen in love with the classic American fall flavors. This cake is my way of bringing a little bit of that bakery joy right into my kitchen, and now, into yours. It’s a recipe I’m so excited to share!
Why You’ll Love This Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Trust me, this cake is a winner for so many reasons. I mean, who doesn’t love getting that bakery feeling at home?
- It’s way easier than making actual donuts. No hot oil to deal with!
- You get all those amazing, comforting fall flavors in every bite.
- The texture is just right – moist and tender, like a perfect crumb.
- It’s a total crowd-pleaser! Everyone I’ve shared it with raves about it.
It really is the taste of fall in cake form.
Equipment You’ll Need for Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Getting ready to bake is part of the fun! For this cake, you won’t need anything too fancy. Just grab your:
- Mixing bowls (a couple of different sizes are helpful)
- A good whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A 9×13 inch baking pan
- And a small saucepan for reducing the cider.
That’s it! Simple tools for a simply delicious cake.
Ingredients for Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to this cozy cake! Here’s what you’ll need to make this delightful treat:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple cider, reduced. You’ll start with 1 cup and simmer it down.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk. Make sure this is at room temperature!
- 2 large eggs. Room temp eggs mix better into the batter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
And for that signature donut topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Having everything measured out before you start makes the baking process much smoother. It’s like setting the stage for something wonderful!
How to Make Your Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Alright, let’s get baking! This part is really quite simple, and the smell that fills your kitchen is just divine. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a gorgeous cake ready to share.
Preparing the Ingredients for Your Apple Cider Donut Cake
First things first, you need to get that apple cider ready. Take 1 cup of unsweetened cider and simmer it in a small pot until it’s reduced to about 1/2 cup. This concentrates the flavor beautifully! Let it cool completely before you use it. Also, make sure your buttermilk and eggs are at room temperature. It helps everything mix together smoothly.
Mixing and Baking the Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan. In a big bowl, whisk your dry stuff: flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, cooled reduced cider, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour the wet into the dry and mix just until combined. Don’t overmix it! Pour the batter into your pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean.
Adding the Signature Donut Topping to Your Apple Cider Donut Cake
While the cake is baking, mix the topping sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt your butter in another tiny bowl. The moment the cake comes out of the oven, brush it all over with the melted butter. Then, sprinkle that delicious cinnamon sugar topping evenly over the warm cake. Let it sit in the pan for at least 15 minutes before you slice it. This lets the flavors settle and makes it easier to cut.
Tips for a Perfect Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Getting those bakery-level results at home is easy with a few simple tricks! Here are my go-to tips for this cake:
- Don’t overmix the batter. Just stir until everything is combined.
- Make sure that reduced apple cider is cool before adding it.
- Room temperature ingredients really do make a difference in texture.
- Brush and sprinkle that topping right when the cake comes out of the oven!
Following these little steps helps ensure a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake every time.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
Sometimes you might need a little flexibility in the kitchen, and that’s okay! For this cake, unsweetened apple cider is best for reducing. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute: mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly. You can also use melted butter in place of some of the oil if you prefer an even richer flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake
I get asked a few things often about this cake, so I wanted to cover those here! It’s always good to have answers ready.
How to Reduce Apple Cider for the Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake?
Just simmer 1 cup of unsweetened apple cider in a small pot over medium heat. Let it bubble gently until it’s reduced to about 1/2 cup. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes.
Can I Store Leftover Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake?
Absolutely! Keep any leftover cake in an airtight container. It stays lovely and moist at room temperature for up to three days.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a quick note about the nutrition details provided for this cake. The numbers you see are estimates. They can vary depending on the exact brands and types of ingredients you use at home. It gives you a general idea, but it’s not set in stone!
Share Your Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake Creations
I absolutely love hearing how my recipes turn out for you! If you make this Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake, please tell me all about it. Leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. You can also rate the recipe! And if you snap a photo, I’d be thrilled if you shared it with me on social media. Happy baking!
Print
Bakery Style Apple Cider Donut Cake: 1 Secret
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This cake brings the cozy flavors of bakery-style apple cider donuts into a simple cake form. It’s perfect for fall.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple cider, reduced
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, reduced apple cider, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. In another small bowl, melt the butter.
- Once the cake is out of the oven, immediately brush the top with the melted butter.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top of the cake.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- To reduce the apple cider, simmer 1 cup of unsweetened apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it has reduced to 1/2 cup. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Let it cool before using.
- Make sure your buttermilk and eggs are at room temperature for best results.
- Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Comments are closed.