Honeycrisp Apple Cider Donut Cake

Apple cider donuts are a beloved orchard-stand classic across fall America, and this loaf captures that same cozy spice in cake form. Reduced cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg bake into a tender crumb that tastes like the fair without the fryer.

Serves 6 · 20 min prep · 52 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 412 cal
• 5g protein
• 58g carbs
• 18g fat

Every recipe here is free to read.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups Honeycrisp apples, peeled and finely diced
• 3 tbsp melted butter for topping
• 1/4 cup cinnamon-sugar mix

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a standard loaf pan, then line it with a parchment sling so the cake lifts out cleanly later.
2. 2Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl until the spices look evenly distributed.
3. 3In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture turns pale and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes with a hand mixer.
4. 4Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl between additions, then mix in the vanilla until the batter smells fragrant.
5. 5Alternate adding the dry mixture and the apple cider plus sour cream in three additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix only until no flour streaks remain.
6. 6Fold the diced Honeycrisp apples gently through the batter so every slice will get tender fruit pockets.
7. 7Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake 48 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs and the top is deep golden.
8. 8Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then lift it out and brush the warm top and sides generously with melted butter.
9. 9Immediately sprinkle and press the cinnamon-sugar mix all over the buttered surface so it clings like a classic cider donut coating.
10. 10Let the cake finish cooling at least 20 more minutes so the crumb sets, then slice thickly and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.