Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

Let’s get back to food. Fall food. I’m off to a good start with this super delicious Cider Doughnut Cake. Is there anything more fall than Cider Doughnuts? And eat real cider doughnuts. So I can attest to the likeness of this cake to the real deal. If you’re a fan of the doughnuts, do you need more reason than that to try this bake-able version? I didn’t think so.

Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

Serves 12.

• 1 stick plus 1 TBS salted butter, softened
• 2 medium Macintosh apples, peeled, cored, and cut into cubes (about 8 oz. total)
• 1 1/2 c. apple cider
• 1/2 c. milk, slightly warmed in microwave
• 3/4 c. + 4 TBS sugar
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 c. canola oil
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Melt 1 TBS of the butter and use a pastry brush to spread it around the inside of a bundt pan, making sure to get in all the creases.
2. Place the chopped apple and the apple cider in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes, until apples are soft and cider has been mostly absorbed.  Let cool 5 minutes, then puree in a food processor.  Mix with the warmed milk, whisking quickly to avoid curdling the milk.
3. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter, 3/4 c. sugar, and 1/2 c. brown sugar until fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating fully between each addition.  Mix in canola oil, and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and 1 tsp of the cinnamon.
5. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the egg/butter/sugar mixture, and incorporate.  Add 1/2 of the apple cider mixture to the batter, incorporate.  Repeat with the remaining flour and cider mixtures.  Beat in vanilla until just incorporated.
6. Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool for 10 minutes in pan, then invert over a cooling rack and remove from pan.
7. Whisk together remaining 4 TBS of sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon.  Sprinkle cinnamon over warm cake.  Let cool, and enjoy!