Apple Cider Bundt Cake Recipe

If you’re dreaming of cozy autumn flavors filling your kitchen with irresistible warmth, this Apple Cider Bundt Cake is your passport to all things fall. Imagine a tender, spice-laced crumb gently perfumed with real apple cider, finished with a generous tumble of cinnamon sugar on top—each slice is a celebration of comfort and simple pleasures. Easy enough for Sunday brunch, yet beautiful for special gatherings, this cake strikes the perfect balance between homey and impressive. Whether you enjoy it plain or topped with dollops of whipped cream, it’s bound to become your new favorite way to showcase apple cider in a dessert!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for Apple Cider Bundt Cake are both familiar and magical, transforming humble pantry staples into something truly special. Each one plays its part, from the spice blend to the natural sweetness of apples, ensuring this cake is bursting with flavor in every bite.

• All purpose flour: Fluffs up the cake and creates that soft, cakey texture we all crave in a great Bundt cake.
• Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners work together to help the cake rise beautifully—think fluffy, not dense!
• Ground cinnamon: Warms up every bite and enhances the natural flavor of the apple cider.
• Ground ginger: Adds a gentle kick and depth that balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Ground nutmeg: Brings a subtle hint of spice that lingers on the palate.
• Salt: Simply a must for rounding out sweet flavors and bringing everything into harmony.
• Apple cider: The star of the show, infusing your cake with all the joys of autumn apples.
• Applesauce or apple butter: Adds unbeatable moisture and an extra layer of apple goodness—apple butter gives a slightly richer flavor if you have it!
• Unsalted butter: Makes your cake rich and tender; softened for easy blending.
• Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps things extra moist, ensuring your cake stays delicious for days.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and gives the cinnamon sugar topping its sparkle.
• Light brown sugar: Lends a bit of caramel-like depth to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind everything together for a luscious crumb—use large eggs for best results.
• Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors and gives that bakery-level aroma.
• Topping: Unsalted butter (melted), granulated sugar, ground cinnamon: Brushes and sprinkles over the cake for a sweet, crunchy crown.
• Optional serving ideas: Whipped cream and caramel sauce: These take your Apple Cider Bundt Cake into full-on dessert territory.

How to Make Apple Cider Bundt Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Bundt Pan

Start by heating your oven to 350°F and placing a rack squarely in the center. This ensures an even bake from top to bottom. Before you start greasing, get your 10-cup Bundt pan out and set it aside—you’ll grease it just before adding the batter for maximum non-stick magic.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Doing this now distributes those cozy spices so every slice of the cake is equally delicious. Set this bowl aside—you’ll come back to it soon!

Step 3: Mix the Apple Cider and Applesauce

In a liquid measuring cup, stir together your apple cider and applesauce or apple butter. This powerhouse blend will bring moisture and a bright apple aroma to your cake, keeping each bite tender and flavorful.

Step 4: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat your softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar for two magic-filled minutes. You’re aiming for a fluffy, pale mixture—this step dissolves the sugars and creates those tender cake bubbles.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in your eggs and pour in the vanilla extract, beating until everything is perfectly combined. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl to catch every last bit of buttery goodness!

Step 6: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients

With your mixer on low, mix in the dry ingredients in three additions and the apple cider mixture in two, beginning and ending with flour. Beat well after each addition. This method creates a silky batter and ensures your Apple Cider Bundt Cake bakes up ultra-tender.

Step 7: Final Stir and Pour

Swap to a rubber spatula and give the batter a gentle—but thorough—stir to make sure everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cake could turn out dense.

Step 8: Grease and Fill the Bundt Pan

Now’s the time to generously grease your Bundt pan (baking spray with flour is your best friend here). Pour in the batter and smooth the top, making sure it fills all the beautiful curves of your pan for maximum drama once unmolded.

Step 9: Bake

Pop your big, beautiful pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know your Apple Cider Bundt Cake is ready when a toothpick poked into the thickest part comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool and Unmold

Let the cake cool in the pan atop a wire rack for about 15 minutes. This little pause makes unmolding less stressful (and much prettier). When ready, gently flip the cake onto the rack. Don’t worry if a few crumbs stick—it’s all about rustic charm!

Step 11: Add the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

Place parchment or foil beneath your rack to make cleanup easy. While the cake is still warm, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle it generously with your cinnamon-sugar mixture. Tip the rack and gently press the sugar into every nook for that perfect, sparkly finish.

How to Serve Apple Cider Bundt Cake

Garnishes

This cake loves to play dress-up! Try a generous pillow of whipped cream, a drizzle of thick caramel sauce, or a little dusting of powdered sugar for extra flair. Even fresh apple slices tucked alongside make for a pretty finishing touch and shout out the cake’s star ingredient.

Side Dishes

Pair your slice with a hot mug of spiced cider, chai latte, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to create those classic autumnal dessert vibes. For brunch, serve with crispy bacon or a tart fruit salad for a satisfying sweet-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd, slice and fan the cake on a big platter, nestling cinnamon sticks and baby apples in the center. Individual servings look fabulous layered with whipped cream and caramel in jam jars. Or for the ultimate cozy treat, toast a thick slice and finish with a pat of salted butter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Apple Cider Bundt Cake marvelous by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The flavors actually improve overnight, and the sugar topping gets delightfully crisp.

Freezing

For longer storage, wrap slices or the whole cake (without toppings) tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. When ready to indulge, thaw at room temperature, then add the buttery cinnamon sugar topping.

Reheating

A quick zap in the microwave (just 10–15 seconds per slice) brings back the cake’s tender crumb and makes the spices bloom all over again. For a crispier edge, pop the slices under the broiler for a minute or two—watch them closely!

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

You can, but apple cider offers a richer, tangier apple flavor compared to apple juice. If you must swap, look for an unfiltered, unsweetened apple juice to get as close to the original taste as possible.

What’s the best pan for this cake?

A classic 10-cup Bundt pan works perfectly for this recipe, ensuring the batter bakes evenly and the shape unmolds beautifully. Nonstick and well-greased is best for easy release!

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and the cake should turn out just as moist and flavorful. It’s always smart to check other ingredient labels as well, just to be safe.

How do I know when my Apple Cider Bundt Cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it emerges clean or with just a few tender crumbs, your cake is ready for the cooling rack. Overbaking leads to dryness, so start checking at the 45-minute mark.

Is it okay to make this cake a day ahead?

Absolutely—the Apple Cider Bundt Cake actually gets more flavorful as it sits. Just wait to brush on the butter and cinnamon sugar topping until the day you serve for the best texture!

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tried this Apple Cider Bundt Cake, your fall baking lineup will never be the same! The blend of tender crumb, cozy spices, and sparkly cinnamon sugar is simply unforgettable. Even if you’re new to Bundt cakes, this recipe makes it so easy to create something spectacular—treat yourself and share the joy with friends and family!

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