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Cozy Apple Cider Donut Cake with Easy Cinnamon Sugar

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This apple cider donut cake captures the cozy, spiced flavor of a fresh orchard donut in an easy, one-bowl cake form. With a tender, apple-cider-soaked crumb and a crackly cinnamon sugar crust, it’s the perfect fall treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • For the cinnamon sugar coating: ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar + 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to about ½ cup, about 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat and prep the pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan generously with butter or non-stick spray. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar into the pan and tilt to coat the bottom and sides. Set aside.
  3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and the cooled reduced apple cider.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring with a rubber spatula or whisk until just combined. Gently fold in milk or buttermilk until smooth. Do not overmix.
  6. Bake the cake: Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 30 minutes.
  7. Cool and coat: Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges, then turn out onto a cooling rack. While still warm, brush top and sides with melted butter, then generously sprinkle or toss with cinnamon sugar mixture.
  8. Let it rest: Allow cake to cool completely on rack before slicing.

Notes

Don’t rush the cider reduction; it should be syrupy. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Let cake cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling. The cake tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut cake, cinnamon sugar cake, fall cake, apple cider recipe, easy cake, one bowl cake

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/cozy-apple-cider-donut-cake-with-easy-cinnamon-sugar/