Apple Cider Bundt Cake

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As soon as the first jug of apple cider hits the farmers market, I know it’s officially fall. The smell alone—sweet, crisp, and cozy—just feels like sweater weather. And what better way to celebrate than with a warm, spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake?

I love buying large gallon jugs of apple cider and making cozy fall recipes like warm Apple Cider Donuts and Apple Cider Pork Loin for dinner.

This easy dessert starts with a simple yellow cake mix (yes, really!) but gets a major upgrade from reduced apple cider, cinnamon, and applesauce for extra flavor and moisture. It bakes up tender and perfectly spiced, then gets topped with a sweet apple cider glaze that soaks into every golden ridge of the Bundt.

Be warned- this cake disappears quickly! I never stays in our house longer than a day. If you are planning to bring it to a family gathering, I suggest you make two! (Even if it’s only to keep one cake for yourself 😉)

Whether you’re baking for a family dinner, Thanksgiving, or just because it’s finally fall, this cake is the perfect cozy treat to share.

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

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Equipment:

• Bundt Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Saucepan to reduce the apple cider

For the Cake:

• Butter and flour for the Bundt pan
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

For the Icing:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider

Optional Topping:

• Cinnamon sugar mixture (for a little sparkle and crunch!)

How To Reduce the Cider

Reducing apple cider intensifies its flavor, giving the cake a deep, rich apple taste instead of a subtle one. Don’t skip this step! Here’s how to do it:

1. Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small to medium saucepan.
2. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
3. Let it simmer uncovered for about 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by half (1 cup).
4. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s slightly syrupy and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Let the reduced cider cool completely before adding it to your cake batter or icing.

You can even make this step ahead of time—the reduced cider will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How To Make It

Prepare the pan: Butter and flour your Bundt pan very well to prevent sticking.

Preheat oven: Set to 350°F.

Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, cooled reduced apple cider, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and applesauce. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared Bundt pan and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then carefully flip it out onto a serving plate.

Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider. Adjust consistency—add more powdered sugar if it’s too thin, or a splash of cider if it’s too thick.

Glaze and garnish: Pour the icing over the cooled cake. If you’d like, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top for extra sweetness and a beautiful finish.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish!

⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section. 📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Tips and Variations

• Make it extra spiced: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter for more fall flavor.
• Dress it up: Serve slices with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Storage: Keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5. The flavors actually get even better the next day! (If it lasts that long!)

More Apple Recipes

• Crock Pot Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
• Cherry Apple Oat Bars
• Apple Cider Sangria
• Apple Cider Donuts
• Gouda and Apple Hasselback Chicken
• Caramel Apple Dip
• McDonald’s Apple Hand Pies
• Slow Cooker Autumn Pork Chops

🍂Tastes Like Fall

This Apple Cider Bundt Cake tastes like everything you love about fall—apple orchards, cinnamon donuts, and cozy afternoons all wrapped into one dessert. It’s simple enough for a weeknight bake, yet impressive enough to take to a party or potluck. Plus, starting with a cake mix means it’s practically foolproof.

The hardest part is waiting for it to cool before sneaking a slice!

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