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Apple Cider Bundt Cake

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Apple cider Bundt cake is such a perfect fall dessert. The homemade cake batter comes together in just a few minutes and has both apple cider and apple butter for big apple flavor that pairs beautifully with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Apple cider bundt cake drizzled with caramel sauce, missing one slice showing moist cake interior.

If you are looking for a moist apple cake, you are in the right place. This from scratch Bundt cake is easy to make and has both apple cider and apple butter baked inside for big apple flavor.

The cinnamon and nutmeg help to round it out, making it smell amazing and taste even better. It is fabulous on it’s own but a drizzle of apple cider caramel sauce takes it to the next level.

Whole flower shaped apple cider bundt cake with apples and a jar of caramel sauce in the background.

The caramel is the perfect mix of rich and creamy with just the right amount of tart apple flavor. You definitely taste the apple, making it like a bite of caramel apple in each drop.

About the Recipe

I love baking Bundt cakes. They are usually pretty easy to put together, and they make a visual statement without having to do a lot of decorating.

Usually a dusting of powdered sugar or simple glaze is plenty to make it a showstopper. Of course if that glaze happens to be homemade caramel, all the better.

This recipe comes together particularly easy. Using oil instead of butter means you don’t have to worry about getting the butter softened.

You also don’t need a mixer. A couple of mixing bowls and a spatula will get the job done without breaking a sweat.

Adding both apple cider and apple butter makes the apple flavor really shine through. Plus they help to keep the crumb super moist and a bit dense, but not too dense.

Spooning apple cider caramel sauce over bundt cake.

You are welcome to change up the spices if you want. Add a little ginger or allspice if you want a spicier cake, but I like to keep it simple with cinnamon and nutmeg.

My apple butter already had a bit of cloves in it as well, so it all combined to make a great mix of sweet and spice.

Tips for Making Sure Your Bundt Comes Out Great

For this recipe, you will want to use a 10-12 cup Bundt cake pan. Then prepare it in your favorite way.

I use the cooking spray with the flour in it. It works well for me and is super simple.

If you like to butter and flour or butter and sugar your pan, feel free to go that route. Or you can even make your own pan release if you want.

Lifting the first slice of apple bundt cake out, showing the moist texture of the cake inside.

Basically, if you have a system that works well for you keep using it. There is no point in changing what works.

Bake the cake until the edges are golden and the top bounces back when lightly touched with a finger. The exact cooking time will vary based on your oven and the shape of your pan.

You may want to start checking it a few minutes early if your pan is narrow. A heavier pan or wider shape may require a few more minutes.

Slice of apple bundt cake served with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before dumping it out. You want the cake to have a chance to cool enough to hold together but the sugars should still be warm to help prevent sticking.

As you might expect with a Bundt cake or apple cake, this cake has a nice dense (in a good way) crumb. So just a dusting of powdered sugar works well, but the caramel keeps it extra gooey and delicious.

A Few More Great Apple Cake Recipes

A vintage Dutch apple cake is a great way to start the day. Or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn it into dessert.

Or make an upside down caramel apple cake with a bit of brown sugar and spice. It is a smaller cake than this one, but with similar flavors.

If you love Bundt cakes, we have lots of yummy recipes for you! Check out my homemade chocolate bundt cake or pumpkin Bundt cake with cheesecake ribbon.

Did you make this great recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

Apple cider bundt cake drizzled with caramel sauce, missing one slice showing moist cake interior.

Apple Cider Bundt Cake

Carlee
This homemade apple Bundt cake has both apple cider and apple butter baked inside for big fruit flavor. The cinnamon and nutmeg round it out for the perfect autumnal dessert.
4.86 from 7 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 388 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • ½ cup apple butter
  • 1 cup vegetable oil or similar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 10 or 12 cup Bundt pan with butter and flour or baking spray with flour in it.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
    3 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup apple cider
  • In a large bowl, beat whisk together the wet ingredients until well combined.
    ½ cup apple butter, 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the top bounces back when lightly touched with a finger. The exact baking time will vary based on the size and shape of pan you use.
  • Cool cake for at least 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool.
  • Transfer to a serving dish. It is great as is, but a dusting of powdered sugar or quick glaze will add visual appeal. We like to drizzle it with apple cider caramel sauce.
  • Cut slices and serve with an additional drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

Use a neutral flavored cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil for the cake.
Feel free to add some ginger, cloves or allspice if you like more spice in your cakes.
You can make a quick glaze from a cup of powdered sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla and about a Tablespoon of milk. Store-bought caramel sauce would also be good, but we highly recommend making apple cider caramel sauce to go with this cake. A scoop of ice cream is good too!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 283mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21g
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Recipe Rating




Anonymous

Wednesday 22nd of August 2018

Carlee, that cake looks SINfully delicious! I could eat the sauce with a spoon. :-o Thank you so much for allowing me to include it in my apple round-up! Have a great day!

Carlee

Saturday 25th of August 2018

I wish I could send you a slice. The caramel sauce is one of my favorite things to make in the fall. The cider really adds something fantastic!

Jan

Saturday 15th of October 2016

So licking my computer screen is inappropriate?? lol! Thanks for sharing such deliciousness at Country Fair Blog Party!

Carlee

Saturday 15th of October 2016

It's totally appropriate (as long as nobody is watching, that is!) Thank you!

Karly

Sunday 9th of October 2016

Looks delicious! Thanks for linkin' up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

Carlee

Monday 10th of October 2016

Thanks, Karly!

Carlee

Saturday 8th of October 2016

Thanks!

Kayleigh | Whisks and Wooden Spoons

Thursday 6th of October 2016

This looks SO yummy!

Carlee

Saturday 8th of October 2016

Thank you!