Apple cider mixed with fall spices then baked into a cake that is lightly sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. This Apple Cider Bundt Cake has all the delicious, warm tastes of fall!
A Redemption Cake
You know those periods of time in life where negative things seem to happen over and over again? This past week was one of those times for me. Friday was not a great day, so on my way home from work I decided that I would get some apple cider to make a cake. Baking cakes just makes everything better.
We were having some friends over for lunch on Saturday, and I wanted to serve them the apple cider cake. I baked the cake Friday and covered it overnight. Saturday morning my son had a soccer came, so before we left, I sprinkled the cake with cinnamon and sugar, put it on a cake stand, covered it, and pushed it to the back of the kitchen counter.
When we got home from the game on Saturday, my husband went inside the house first. He quickly came back out and said, “there’s been a problem with the dog …. you’re not going to be happy.” I walked inside and found that the dog had eaten the entire cake, minus one small slice she was obviously not able to reach. Not only was my cake gone, but there were crumbs everywhere, and my kitchen looked like a disaster.
All the stress of the last few weeks then came out, and I lost it. I cried big ole’ elephant tears. My sweet, intelligent son said, “It’s okay mom, cakes are for eating, and the dog was hungry. You can always make another one.”
My son was correct, I could make another one. A better one. So the next day, I had my kids help me make a redemption Apple Cider Bundt Cake. I kept the new one stored on top of the refrigerator.
Apple Cider Bundt Cake
I based this cake on my Apple Cider Donuts recipe I made last fall. They are hands down one of my favorite fall treats!
Reduced Apple Cider
The key to packing baking goods with apple cider flavor is to reduce the apple cider, concentrating it. To do this, I start with twice as much apple cider as I will need when it comes time to make the cake. In this case, I reduced 2 cups of cider, simmering it over medium-low heat until it reduced by about half. This process at this ratio takes about 20 minutes.
Spices
Although you could use apple pie spice, I prefer to use my own mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, and all spice. It creates a perfect punch of fall tastes.
Topping
I wanted this cake to taste like a donut, so I brushed it with melted butter and sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar. It also tastes great when served with caramel sauce or a powdered sugar glaze.
This Apple Cider Bundt Cake is a quick, easy cake to make and will leave you with all sorts of happy fall feels!
Apple Cider Bundt Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmug
- 1/2 teaspoon all spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan over medium-low heat, bring apple cider to a simmer. Simmer until reduced by half, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or use cooking spray to coat the inside of a bundt pan.
- Use mixer with paddle attachment to cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar until lightened and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Mix in eggs, scraping down sides as needed.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup of reduced apple cider(see note below), milk, and grapeseed oil. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, and salt.
- Alternate mixing liquid and flour mixture into butter. Do this in about 3 additions, starting and finishing with dry ingredients.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into a center of the ring comes out wiht just a few crumbs. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing. Let cool for at least an additional 15-20 minutes before coating.
- When ready to coat cake with topping, melt butter and brush over sides and top of cake. Stir together sugar and cinnamon and evenly sprinkle over buttered cake.
Notes
Disclaimer: All nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is not guaranteed.
If you enjoyed this Apple Cider Bundt Cake, you should check out these other SugarSpicesLife recipes:
Apple Cider Pancakes
Healthier Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Churro Cake
Churro Cake
Instant Pot Apple Cider Apple Sauce
Links to items used to make this recipe:
Bundt Cake Pan
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
Butter Brush: Used for outside of cake
