Apple Cider Cake

This BEST Apple Cider Cake is my cozy fall twist on a viral favorite. It’s moist, tender, and filled with sweet bites of fresh apple. After baking, the whole cake gets brushed with melted butter and rolled in a cinnamon-sugar topping with a touch of brown sugar for that warm donut-shop vibe. When I was a little girl, I loved apple cider so much I’d guzzle it at my grandma and grandpa’s house every chance I got. That same nostalgic flavor inspired this cake — it’s pure fall comfort in every bite. If you’re an apple lover, don’t miss my Apple Pie and Apple Cake too! Click here for more recipes like this!

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in your fridge for about a week!

Why You’ll Love This Cake

• Bakery-style crumb — sour cream + diced apples make it extra moist.
• Cozy flavor — apple cider + cinnamon sugar = fall in a Bundt pan.
• Easy to make — starts with cake mix but tastes from scratch.
• Crowd-pleasing — perfect centerpiece dessert for gatherings.

🎥 Items Featured in the Video

🤔 Common Questions

Can I use spice cake mix instead of yellow?

Yes! It makes the cake even more flavorful.

Do I need to peel the apple?

Peeling gives a smoother bite, but leaving the skin on is fine for a rustic texture.

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What apples can I use for this cake?

I used Honeycrisp (my favorite), but Granny Smith and Fuji or a mix of all three are great choices. Honestly, I used one large apple, but you can even add more if you like! Two medium apples would be even more appleiscious!

Melissa Jo

Apple Cider Cake

5 from 1 vote

This BEST Apple Cider Cake is my cozy fall twist on a viral favorite. It’s moist, tender, and filled with sweet bites of fresh apple. After baking, the whole cake gets brushed with melted butter and rolled in a cinnamon-sugar topping with a touch of brown sugar for that warm donut-shop vibe. When I was a little girl, I loved apple cider so much I’d guzzle it at my grandma and grandpa’s house every chance I got. That same nostalgic flavor inspired this cake — it’s pure fall comfort in every bite. If you’re an apple lover, don’t miss my Apple Pie and Apple Cake too! Click here for more recipes like this!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• For the cake:
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• ¾ cup apple cider
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large apple (I used Honeycrisp) peeled and diced small (about 1 to 1 ½ cups)
• 1 teaspoon flour to toss apples
• For the topping:
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, apple cider, applesauce, sour cream, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Toss diced apple with 1 teaspoon flour, then fold into the batter.
4. Pour batter evenly into prepared Bundt pan.
5. Bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Let cake cool for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack.
7. While still warm, brush melted butter all over the cake.
8. Mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Sprinkle (or roll) the cake until fully coated.
9. Slice and serve warm or at room temp — perfect with a cup of cider! 🍏

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