Thanksgiving Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy, fall-inspired dessert that captures all the warm, spicy flavors of the season, you’ve got to try my Thanksgiving Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe. Imagine moist cake infused with rich apple cider and tender chunks of honeycrisp apple, all topped with buttery cinnamon sugar that adds just the right amount of sweet crunch. I promise, once you take a bite, this cake will become your new go-to for holiday gatherings or any time you crave that unmistakable autumn vibe.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients work together to deliver layers of flavor and texture. Using fresh honeycrisp apples and real apple cider really makes a difference—you’ll want to choose the best you can find for that authentic, vibrant taste.

• Honeycrisp apple: I prefer this variety because it’s sweet, crisp, and holds up nicely when cooked.
• Apple cider: Fresh, not from concentrate, for the best flavor punch.
• Milk: Adds moisture and tenderizes the crumb.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist without overpowering other flavors.
• Pure vanilla extract: The subtle vanilla rounds out the spices beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure.
• Baking powder & baking soda: Help the cake rise just right.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice: The spicy trio that gives this cake its signature warmth.
• Unsalted butter (softened): For richness and creaminess in the batter.
• Light brown sugar & white sugar: The brown sugar brings moisture and depth, while white sugar adds sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• Unsalted butter (for browning): This step adds nutty flavor and helps the cinnamon sugar stick.
• Sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt (for cinnamon sugar): This blend is the magical topping you won’t want to skip.

Variations

This cake is such a fun blank canvas that I’ve enjoyed experimenting with a few twists depending on the season or what we have on hand. Don’t hesitate to tweak it to your taste!

• Spiced Rum Version: I once added a splash of spiced rum to the apple cider mixture for an adult-only twist—super delicious and festive!
• Gluten-Free Option: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend once, and the texture was still wonderfully tender.
• Maple Glaze: Try drizzling a simple maple icing over the cake instead of cinnamon sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and fall flair.
• Chunky Apple Pieces: If you like texture, fold in a handful of finely chopped apples at the end—my family goes crazy for the extra apple bite!

How to Make Thanksgiving Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Cider Mixture

Start by peeling and chopping a large honeycrisp apple. Place it in a saucepan with 1 1/2 cups of apple cider and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. You’ll want to reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the apple is soft and the cider is mostly absorbed—this takes about 10-15 minutes. Use a fork to mash the apple so there are no big chunks left; a smooth, slightly chunky mixture is perfect. Then measure out 1 cup of this and stir in the oil, milk, and vanilla extract. This prep sets the stage for the cake’s moist and flavorful base, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Combining the dry ingredients evenly upfront ensures the spices and leavening agents are distributed perfectly throughout your batter.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add in the light brown sugar and white sugar. You’ll want to beat this mixture for about 5 minutes until it’s fluffy and light—the texture really makes a difference in the finished cake. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl here and there to keep everything evenly mixed.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Alternate Ingredients

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Then alternate adding the dry ingredients and the apple cider mixture to the bowl—starting and ending with the dry. I find doing this in thirds helps keep the batter smooth without overmixing. Your goal is just combined; if it looks a bit lumpy, that’s okay.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into a 10-cup bundt pan that’s been greased or sprayed with nonstick baking spray. Smooth the top with a spatula and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before gently removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Brown Butter and Add Cinnamon Sugar

While the cake cools, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly as it bubbles—after 2 to 3 minutes, you’ll see little brown bits appear on the bottom and smell that nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and keep whisking for another 30 seconds. This brown butter is pure magic for flavor and also helps the cinnamon sugar stick.

Mix together 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Brush the brown butter all over the cooled cake, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top and press lightly so it adheres nicely. You can rub it onto the sides and in the center ring—this gets all those nooks and crannies covered perfectly. Serve and watch everyone go crazy for this classic autumn treat!

How to Serve Thanksgiving Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I actually love serving this cake with just the cinnamon sugar coating because that browned butter really takes center stage. But sometimes I’ll add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to amp up the indulgence. A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on top makes for a nice crunch and adds a toasty note that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon spices.

Side Dishes

This cake goes great with warm beverages—try pairing it with a hot cup of chai tea, mulled cider, or a rich coffee. If you want a full dessert spread for Thanksgiving, it also pairs wonderfully with pumpkin pie or pecan pie for those who want a taste of everything.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve individual slices dusted with a little powdered sugar on vintage plates, adding a cinnamon stick on the side as a stirrer for warm drinks. Another fun idea I’ve tried is layering thick slices with dollops of whipped cream and sliced apples for a rustic apple trifle that looks and tastes amazing!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find this cake stays fresh wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep the cinnamon sugar crust from getting soggy, I recommend brushing on the brown butter and adding the sugar just before serving leftovers, if possible.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake with great success. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and add the brown butter cinnamon sugar topping freshly brushed on to keep that perfect texture.

Reheating

Leftover slices reheat nicely in a warm oven (about 300°F for 10 minutes) or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. I like reheating just enough to warm through without drying out the cake. Then, if you want, brush a little extra brown butter on top before serving to refresh that decadent flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Thanksgiving Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe, I was blown away by how the simple ingredients came together to create something so festive and comforting. It’s become a staple in my family’s holiday traditions, and honestly, I find any excuse to make it outside of Thanksgiving too! If you love the cozy flavors of fall and want a dessert that’s both impressive and easy to pull off, definitely give this one a go. I can’t wait for you to experience how magical this cake tastes fresh from the oven, topped with that irresistible brown butter cinnamon sugar. Trust me—you’re going to love it.

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