My apple cider doughnut loaf cake is the fall cake of your dreams, it tastes just like your favorite moist apple cider doughnut. One bite will take you hay riding, apple picking, and leaf peeping ~ imagine what a whole slice can do!
apple cider doughnut loaf cake
This apple cider doughnut loaf cake is the third in my apple cider doughnut cake series. First there was the epic Apple Cider Doughnut Cake, followed by the Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins. With fall in full swing it seems like the perfect time to introduce a loaf cake into the mix. This one, imo, is the best yet! The texture is plush and the apple cider flavor comes through beautifully. That crunchy sugar coating and a touch of nutmeg brings out the cider doughnut vibe loud and clear.
what you’ll need
It’s a rare one of us who’s up to making homemade doughnuts on a fall morning, but this, this is the answer to those bleary-eyed cravings!
- apple cider ~ we’ll be reducing this down to concentrate its flavor. I use fresh (refrigerated) apple cider for this recipe. Can you use bottled cider or apple juice in a pinch? Yes.
- all purpose flour
- butter ~ I usually bake with unsalted.
- eggs ~ large.
- sugar ~ both brown sugar and granulated sugar (for the crust.)
- sour cream ~ enriches and tenderizes the cake, and add moisture.
- cornstarch ~ tenderizes the cake as well.
- baking powder, baking soda, salt
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon and nutmeg ~ cinnamon is used in that classic cider doughnut sugar coating, and nutmeg is the flavor that makes a doughnut taste like a doughnut!
what’s the difference between apple cider and apple juice?
Technically cider is apple juice that has not been filtered, so it will appear cloudier. If you buy your cider from a farm, or in the refrigerated section, it’s raw, and unprocessed. Cider has a lovely tangy flavor that I love. But when you’re comparing bottled cider and juice in the supermarket juice aisle, there is no appreciable difference.
what makes this apple cider cake so good
Truth, you’ll want to put this at the top of your fall baking list, it’s that good. I adapted the recipe from Bon Appétit (it came out in their Sept 2020 issue) and took an already good recipe and made it so much better. I tweaked it, simplified the process, and eliminated unnecessary steps, as the original recipe was written rather awkwardly (sorry BA.) This cake is a keeper!
- The texture. It’s soft and plush, which is rare in a loaf cake. You can see it in the photos.
- The apple flavor comes through nicely thanks to the reduced cider. It’s an extra step but you can set it on the stove while you gather your ingredients and start the cake.
- The cinnamon sugar crust! It’s epic. The effect really is like biting into a cider doughnut.
- It’s the perfect thing to bring this fall, whenever you’re asked.
more loaf cakes and quick breads
- Triple Coconut Pound Cake
- Easy Apple Fritter Bread
- Maple Pecan Pound Cake
- Strawberry Buttermilk Bread
- Easy Spiced Peach Bread
- Date Nut Bread
- Better than Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread
Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake
Equipment
- standard 9×5 loaf pan see options here
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (more to taste)
topping
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan and line with a sheet of parchment paper so you can more easily lift the bread out after baking. (This is optional.)
- Put the cider in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup.
- Pour the cider into a small bowl and set aside to cool slightly. Then stir in the sour cream and vanilla.
- Melt the butter in the same saucepan. Let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile beat the eggs and brown sugar until smooth and frothy. I do this in my stand mixer but you can also do this with a whisk.
- Drizzle the melted butter into the egg mixture, while the machine is running on low. If doing by hand, keep whisking while you add the butter to get everything incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternately with the cider/sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined but don't over mix.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without we batter on it. Note: if you use a slightly smaller loaf pan your cake may take longer to bake.
- Let the pan cool on a rack for ten minutes, then remove the cake from the pan using the parchment paper sling. Let cool for 5 more minutes.
- For the sugar coating, mix the sugar with the cinnamon. Brush the outside of the cake with melted butter and coat thickly with the cinnamon sugar. I do the top first, then each side, one at a time. For the sides I cup the sugar in my hand and quickly press up against the cake. Do this a few times until you get the surface well covered.
- Do not slice the cake until ready to enjoy. Store at room temperature loosely covered with foil.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Simply
I made it today and want to share it with family and friends because it is worth sharing with my loved ones. The contrast of flavors is just delicious.
S
SO GOOD! The cinnamon sugar melted once i put it on so next time i would let cool completely. Still amazing thank you for this recipe!
I have a question for this cake. I use King Arthur boiled cider a lot in recipes and I wonder if I could use the same amount of K.A. boiled cider instead of boiling my own???
Yes, that should work fine.
Have you tried it with Gluten Free flour?
I have made this twice, the first time was PERFECT!! I followed the recipe to a tee both times and the second time the middle fell in (really badly).. any advice!? I have no clue what could’ve happened!
Mine too.
Great recipe!! Perfect combination of flavors. Can this recipe be doubled?
Yes, but I would bake in 2 loaves, not one large one.
The original Bon Appetit recipe popped up in my feed, and like a lot of BA content, I was tempted but underwhelmed by glaring problems. It sounded so promising, I Googled for a better version (with the necessary edits), et voila! Here you are. Thank you! THIS one I’ll actually try!
Delicious
Tender and delicious! Ive never had an apple cider donut but this loaf is exceptional! Very easy to make, as long as you realize you need to boil the apple cider first (I should really read the entire recipe before I get into the kitchen). I love the fall flavor without it having to be pumpkin spice. Will be making this all season!
Can I freeze the loaf for a few days, and after it thaws out put topping on? It’s for wedding shower next Sunday!
I haven’t tried it that way but I’m sure you can.