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Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Donut Cake with Easy Caramel Glaze

Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Donut Cake - featured image
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This tender, spiced cake tastes like a fall festival in every bite, with a concentrated apple cider flavor and a rich caramel glaze that seeps into the warm cake for pockets of gooey sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • For the Caramel Glaze:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 15-20 minutes. Swirl occasionally. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 10-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray that contains flour.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for about 20 seconds. Set aside.
  4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
  6. Fill the Pan: Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Spread evenly. Tap pan gently on counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake: Bake on middle rack for 40-50 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted near center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Start checking at 38 minutes.
  8. Cool in Pan: Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for exactly 15 minutes.
  9. Invert the Cake: Place cooling rack upside down on pan, flip together, and lift pan off. Let cake cool completely on rack, about 1 hour.
  10. Make the Caramel Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 1-2 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Let cool 2-3 minutes until thick but pourable.
  11. Glaze the Cake: Place cooled cake on serving plate. Slowly pour caramel glaze over top, letting it drip down sides. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt immediately.
  12. Let the Glaze Set: Allow glaze to set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. Room temperature ingredients are important for a smooth batter. Use the spoon-and-level method for flour. For best results, let the cake rest overnight for deeper flavor. The glaze is best made fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut cake, spiced apple cake, caramel glaze, fall dessert, bundt cake, easy apple cake

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-spiced-apple-cider-donut-cake-with-easy-caramel-glaze/