A cozy fall favorite you can bake all year round

If you’ve ever visited an apple orchard in the crisp air of autumn, there’s a good chance you’ve tasted a fresh, sugar-dusted apple cider doughnut—the kind that melts in your mouth with warm spice and deep apple flavor. This Apple Cider Doughnut Cake captures all that comfort and nostalgia in one ridiculously easy bundt cake.

Made with a boxed cake mix, real apple cider, cinnamon applesauce, and a generous cinnamon sugar coating, this recipe is the perfect shortcut to big fall flavor. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, attending a potluck, or just craving something cozy with your coffee, this cake is a seasonal showstopper.

🍂 Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Cake

Tastes like a doughnut, bakes like a cake
All the warm, sugary magic of a cider doughnut—without frying anything!
Semi-homemade and stress-free
Uses a boxed cake mix and comes together in one bowl.
Perfect texture
Moist from the applesauce and cider, with a golden cinnamon sugar crust.
Versatile for all occasions
Serve it warm with cider in the fall, or cold with vanilla ice cream in summer.

📜 The Original Recipe (Unchanged)

PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 1 hour
SERVINGS: 12

Ingredients:

1 (15.25 oz) box Yellow Cake Mix or Spice Cake Mix
1 cup apple cider (NOT apple juice or apple cider vinegar)
½ cup applesauce (we used cinnamon applesauce, not chunky)
3 large eggs (room temperature)
¼ tsp cinnamon (more if you like it really cinnamony!)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp cinnamon (depending on your preference)
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup melted butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the dry cake mix, apple cider, applesauce, and eggs. Add in the cinnamon (¼ tsp), brown sugar, and vanilla to the cake batter.
Pour the mix into a well-greased and floured bundt pan (we used Baker’s Joy, which contains flour to prevent sticking).
Place the bundt pan on the center oven rack and bake for 40–45 minutes. Check with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
In a separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cinnamon with ¼ cup sugar.
Once the cake has cooled, brush the entire surface with melted butter. Rub the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the surface.
Serve warm or at room temperature!

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips for Success

1. Use Real Apple Cider

Make sure you’re using real apple cider—not juice or vinegar. Fresh-pressed cider from the farmer’s market or grocery store’s refrigerated section works best.

2. Cinnamon Applesauce Bonus

Using cinnamon applesauce adds another layer of warm spice without extra effort. If you only have plain applesauce, no worries—just increase the cinnamon a touch.

3. Bundt Pan Musts

Greasing and flouring the pan properly is crucial. Use Baker’s Joy or grease manually with butter and flour. Bundt cakes are notorious for sticking!

4. Let it Rest Before Removing

Cool for at least 20 minutes before attempting to flip the cake out of the pan to avoid crumbling or tearing.

🍩 Flavor Variations

Want to put your own spin on it? Try these tested tweaks:

Maple Glaze Drizzle: Instead of the butter-sugar topping, drizzle a glaze made from powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of cider.
Caramel Apple Vibe: Add a few caramel chips to the batter for a gooey surprise.
Brown Butter Magic: Use browned butter (instead of plain melted) for brushing the cake. It adds a nutty, rich flavor that’s divine.
Nutty Addition: Fold in ½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.

🧁 Serving Suggestions

This cake shines on its own, but here are some ways to elevate it:

With coffee or chai latte: Perfect for crisp mornings or cozy afternoons.
As a brunch centerpiece: Slice and serve with quiche, fruit, and cider.
Dressed up for dessert: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of warm caramel.
Mini bundts: Divide the batter into mini bundt pans or muffin tins (adjust baking time accordingly—start checking at 20 minutes).

🍎 Make-Ahead & Storage

Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, covered tightly.
Refrigerate if keeping longer (up to 5 days).
Freeze individual slices for up to 3 months—wrap in plastic and foil. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 10–15 seconds.

🍁 Final Thoughts

There’s no better way to bottle the essence of fall than with this Apple Cider Doughnut Cake. It’s the best of both worlds: all the sugary spice of a doughnut, in the cozy form of a warm, easy cake. Whether you’re baking it as a treat for your family or a gift for a neighbor, it’s bound to earn rave reviews.

And the best part? You don’t have to wait for fall. Keep some cider in the freezer, and you can enjoy a slice of autumn sunshine anytime you crave it.