Shortcut Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe Is a Slice of Sweet, Spiced and Tart Fall Goodness

I'll admit that I crave a taste of fall even when the weather dictates otherwise. It's hard to resist the warming spices and flavors associated with this season. So, the next time I'm in a fall mood, baking an apple cider donut cake will be at the top of my priority list. You may be familiar with apple cider donuts as a sought-after treat that pops up at your local bakery or farmer's market once a year. However, this sweet and spiced dessert is taken up a notch by infusing those flavors into a moist bundt cake. This creates a mouthwatering cake that tastes similar to apple cider donuts and is simple thanks to a clever ingredient hack. Here's how to make an apple cider donut cake that's sure to usher in the fall vibes all year round!

What is apple cider donut cake?

This cake contains standard baking staples such as eggs and butter along with other ingredients like apple cider, cinnamon, fresh apples and nutmeg. Combining these ingredients produces a cake that's sweet, tart and spiced just like a batch of apple cider donuts. Also, you don't have to spend a ton of time measuring flour and leavening agents with the help of a baking shortcut.

Easy shortcut ingredient for apple cider donut cake

If you have a box of yellow cake mix in your pantry, consider it a sign to make this cake! This cake mix comes in handy since it already contains most of the dry ingredients needed for a light and fluffy cake. Also, this variety of boxed mix boasts a rich vanilla flavor that works well with the fragrant spices and tangy apple cider. (Read how to upgrade boxed cake mix using tips from a baking pro.)

A yummy apple cider donut cake recipe

Below, you'll find a Betty Crocker recipe for Apple Cider Donut Cake — which bakes the dessert in a bundt pan for an evenly browned crust. Once baked, the cake is slathered in butter and covered in a cinnamon sugar topping before serving. A dollop of whipped cream is the perfect accompaniment for this fall-inspired baked good. (Can't get enough of bundt cakes? Try these recipes for Butter Cake and Chocolate Pound Cake .)

Apple Cider Donut Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• ¾ c up apple cider
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 cup coarsely shredded peeled tart apples (2 medium)

Toppings:

• 3 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

• Yield: 12 servings

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with baking spray with flour.
2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, apple cider, ½ cup melted butter, the eggs, 2 tsp. cinnamon and nutmeg with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in apples. Pour into pan.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Let stand 20 minutes; run metal spatula around outer and inside edges of pan to loosen cake. Remove from pan to wire rack; place cooling rack over waxed paper.
4. Brush top and sides of cake with 3 Tbs. melted butter. In small bowl, mix sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon until blended. Press 2 Tbs. cinnamon mixture up side and top of cake with hand. Let stand 20 minutes. Repeat with remaining cinnamon mixture. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
5. Note: Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to three days.

For more fall-themed desserts , try these recipes below!

This ‘Lazy’ Pecan Pie in a Mug Is Ready To Eat in Under 10 Minutes

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Are *The* Ultimate Fall Treat — 2 Delicious, Easy Recipes

This Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe Is the Perfect Fall ‘Lazy Dessert’