Apple Cider Bundt Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Apple Cider Bundt Cake is a delightful treat that blends warm spices with the natural sweetness of apple cider. It’s perfect for cozy mornings, afternoon snacks, or as a comforting dessert. Easy to bake and bursting with flavor, it’s sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour*
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup applesauce or apple butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream or caramel sauce, optional for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position a rack in the middle. Prepare a 10-cup bundt pan but do not grease it yet.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a glass measuring cup, whisk the apple cider and applesauce (or apple butter). Set aside.
4. Step 4: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 2 minutes until creamy.
5. Step 5: Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts and the apple cider mixture in two parts, starting and ending with flour. Beat well after each addition but avoid overmixing.
7. Step 7: Gently stir the batter with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.
8. Step 8: Thoroughly grease the bundt pan with baking spray with flour or butter and flour.
9. Step 9: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
10. Step 10: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Step 11: Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then carefully invert it onto the rack to cool completely.
12. Step 12: For the topping, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together. While the cake is still warm, brush melted butter on the surface and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly in sections. Tilt the rack to help the sugar settle into all the nooks. Let the cake cool before slicing.
13. Step 13: Serve plain or with whipped cream or caramel sauce if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Fluff your flour by stirring before measuring to avoid a dense cake. Scoop a heaping amount and level it with a knife for accuracy.
• Replace applesauce with apple butter for a richer apple flavor.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture.
• Try serving with vanilla ice cream for a dessert twist.

Storage

Store the cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or enjoy cold.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the apple cider?

Yes, you can use fresh apple juice or diluted apple juice concentrate, but the flavor may be slightly less complex.

Do I have to use a bundt pan?

A bundt pan helps give this cake its signature shape and even baking, but you can use a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Adjust baking time accordingly and check doneness with a toothpick.

Apple Cider Bundt Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 141 reviews

A moist and lightly spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake that combines warm autumn flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with the sweet tang of apple cider. Perfectly tender with a cinnamon-sugar topping, this cake is ideal for breakfast, snacks, or served with whipped cream or caramel sauce for dessert.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 to 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup applesauce or apple butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream or caramel sauce, optional for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the middle. Have a 10-cup bundt pan ready but do not grease it yet.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. Combine wet ingredients: In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the apple cider and applesauce (or apple butter). Set aside.
4. Cream fats and sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes until well combined and fluffy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
6. Incorporate dry and wet ingredients: Add the flour mixture in three parts alternated with the apple cider mixture in two parts, starting and ending with the flour. Beat thoroughly after each addition until the batter is smooth but be careful not to overmix.
7. Prepare bundt pan: Generously grease the 10-cup bundt pan with baking spray containing flour or use butter and flour to prevent sticking.
8. Pour and spread batter: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spatula.
9. Bake the cake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Cool the cake: Remove the bundt pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then carefully invert the cake onto the rack to cool completely.
11. Prepare topping: While the cake is warm, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Brush or dab the melted butter evenly over the cake’s surface, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture in sections. Tilt the rack gently so the sugar settles into all the crevices and press lightly.
12. Final touches and serving: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. Serve plain, or with whipped cream or caramel sauce for added indulgence.

Notes

• Fluff the flour by stirring it a few times with your measuring cup to lighten it before scooping. Scoop a generous amount and level off with a knife for accuracy.
• This bundt cake has a subtle apple flavor and is not overly sweet, making it versatile for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
• Optional toppings such as whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce complement the cake beautifully and enhance its natural apple and spice notes.

Keywords: Apple Cider Bundt Cake, autumn cake, spiced cake, apple dessert, bundt cake recipe