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–+ servings
apple cider donut loaf cake sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on a wire rack.
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5 from 25 votes

Apple Cider Donut Loaf Cake

Apple cider donut loaf cake is the perfect Fall dessert! This easy one-bowl recipe features a super moist apple cider cake with warm flavors and a donut-y texture; it's just like an apple cider donut in cake form!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour *see notes for measuring below*
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups apple cider
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined. Set aside.
  • In a small pot, add the apple cider. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook for 20-30 minutes, or until it is reduced by half. You will need it to reduce to ¾ cups (165 grams)! Set it aside to cool to room temperature before using.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C and line a 8.5x4.5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined.
  • Whisk in the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream until combined.
  • Whisk in half of the dry ingredients until combined.
  • Whisk in the reduced apple cider until combined.
  • Whisk in the other half of the dry ingredients until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out covered in a few moist crumbs.
  • Let the pan cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then lift it out of the pan. Let it cool completely.
  • Once cool, lightly brush the top and sides of the loaf with the melted butter. Let it soak into the cake for 30-60 seconds.
  • Then mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Generously sprinkle the loaf with the sugar until completely coated.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

*Measure your flour properly. This is my #1 baking tip! Do not ever scoop a measuring cup into your flour as this always leads to using too much flour. Instead, use the spoon-level method. This means fluffing the flour first, then spooning it into your measuring cup/spoon. For the BEST results, use a kitchen scale!*
Apple cider: You can use homemade or store-bought apple cider. Before using it, make sure to reduce it by half as instructed in the recipe. Reducing it will boil off any extra water and make the flavor stronger!
Reduce the cider. The apple cider must be reduced by half before use. It's very simple to do! Pour the cider into a pot and let it gently boil for 20-30 minutes until reduced in half.
Don't overbake it. Baking the loaf for too long will make it dry and crumbly instead of soft and moist.