Description

A soft, tender, and rich cake infused with warm autumn spices and fresh apple cider, perfect for cozy fall gatherings and easy baking.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) fresh apple cider
½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan or tube pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray, then dust lightly with flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
In another bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly glossy. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract, then apple cider and buttermilk. The mixture will be thin and liquidy.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

Notes

Use fresh apple cider for best flavor. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Let eggs, cider, and buttermilk come to room temperature before mixing. Optional: add ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch. Dust pan with flour after greasing to ensure easy release. Start checking cake at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
Calories: 330
Sugar: 22
Sodium: 180
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4

Keywords: apple cider cake, autumn dessert, donut cake, fall spices, cinnamon cake, easy cake recipe, buttery cake