Name: Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1-½ cups fresh apple cider; 4 tablespoons (66 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced; 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup (70 grams) granulated sugar; ½ cup (110 grams) lightly packed brown sugar; 1/3 cup (70 grams) light olive oil (or other neutral oil); ¼ cup (66 grams) sour cream (or Greek yogurt); 1-½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; Pinch of allspice; ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt (if using fine sea salt, use half by volume); 1-¾ cups (210 grams) all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon butter, at cool room temperature; ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ingredients

1½ cups fresh apple cider

4 tablespoons (66 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced

2 large eggs

⅓ cup (70 grams) granulated sugar

½ cup (110 grams) lightly packed brown sugar

⅓ cup (70 grams) light olive oil (or other neutral oil)

¼ cup (66 grams) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Pinch allspice

¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt (if using fine sea salt use half by volume)

1¾ cups (210 grams) all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon butter, at cool room temperature

¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper, leaving extra to create a sling for easy removal.

Step 2: In a large sauté pan, boil the apple cider until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Measure to ensure you have ¾ cup. Add the diced cold butter to the hot cider and whisk until combined.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, sour cream, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt until smooth.

Step 4: Slowly whisk the boiled cider mixture into the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Stir in the flour just until combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.

Step 7: Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the cake is puffed, golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a cooling rack for 5 minutes.

Step 9: Spread the room-temperature butter evenly over the warm cake as it melts.

Step 10: In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture liberally over the buttered top.

Step 11: Use the parchment sling to lift the cake from the pan and transfer it onto the cooling rack.

Step 12: Let the cake cool slightly before cutting it into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier flavor and slightly lighter texture.

If you don’t have allspice, a pinch of nutmeg or cloves works well as a substitute.

Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for added crunch.

For a richer topping, melt the butter and cinnamon sugar together before brushing.

FAQs

Can I use canned apple cider instead of fresh?

Yes, canned apple cider works well as long as it is unsweetened and pure. The reduction step concentrates the flavor regardless of the source.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to achieve a good texture.