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If there was ever a recipe that screams fall, it’s this Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake. Made with salted apple butter, spiced cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg and layered with a buttery, cinnamony apple pecan streusel. There’s really nothing not to love about this autumn spiced cake. The true secret? A ripple of sweet maple throughout the center of the cake that keeps it incredibly moist and so delicious. Finish the cake with a (generous) sprinkle of cinnamon spice for a true apple cider “doughnut” cake. Best enjoyed while still warm, with a steaming mug of coffee…or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The perfect way to celebrate the autumn apple season.

side angled photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake without any cuts

It’s officially wedding weekend and it’s officially complete chaos. The family is all over the place running around prepping for my brother’s wedding tomorrow. I’m not going to lie, I think everyone’s on a little bit on edge. Don’t get me wrong, everyone’s happy and excited, but hosting a wedding with 200 people is not a small task. Naturally, there’s just a bit of stress in the air.

And yes, I’m still making the wedding cakes, and yes, I am still super nervous about it. Today is all about baking and assembling cakes. I’m going to do my best to share some stories of the process. But it can be hard to both film with my phone and focus on actually making the food look and taste great. So there will be more to come on that next week.

Fingers crossed all goes well. But no matter what, everyone will have fun, that’s just my family, we always make it work.

overhead photo of apple streusel

Until I have all the details of the wedding to share, let’s talk cake. Especially my first official autumn dessert. I know fall doesn’t start until the 23rd, but here in the mountains of Colorado, it’s very much fall. The temperatures have dropped greatly at night, the leaves are just starting to change, and the air is crisp. In fact, it snowed on the mountain tops on Wednesday night leaving a very pretty dusting.

It’s my favorite time and I’m loving all the fall recipes so very much.

This cake took some effort to get just right, but I’m pretty excited to be sharing it. Many times it’s the recipes I have to work hard to perfect that I end up being most excited to share.

overhead photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake before baking

So…the details.

This is not your average bundt cake. It’s not your average coffee cake.

It is so much better.

For starters, it kind of tastes like an old school apple cider doughnut…but in cake form…and minus all the grease from frying. In fact, this cake was inspired by last fall’s mulled apple cider doughnuts. All the same flavors, but in cake form, and with the addition of a “pecan pie” layer.

overhead photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake after baking on cooking rack

The cake batter itself is fairly simple. Butter, eggs, apple butter, flour, spices, and apple cider. A lot of apple cakes call for applesauce, but I much prefer to use apple butter. It’s has a deeper apple flavor, and in my opinion, is far better than apple sauce.

The batter is all mixed in one bowl and takes only a few minutes to throw together. I baked my cake in this bundt pan, it is very similar to this one, but these nordic ware bundt pans are my usual go-to’s. Either works really well and turns out so pretty.

side angled close up photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with slice cut out

Now, the streusel. It’s buttery, very heavy on the cinnamon, and tossed with brown sugar, sweet honeycrisp apples, and nutty pecans. Kind of basic, kind of not.

Next, the “pecan pie” layer. AKA the three magic ingredients that make this cake better than all other apple bundt cakes.

overhead photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with 2 slices cut

I really wanted the center of this cake to be as gooey as possible. I tried many different things, but in the end found that using a mix of maple syrup, vanilla, and 1 egg created an incredibly moist and almost gooey center to this cake. Looking at the photos you might not think this is a “gooey” cake, but once you bite in, you’ll understand. The “pecan pie” layer is drizzled over the streusel, then covered with additional cake batter. As the cake bakes, the mix melts down into the cake creating the most delicious, moist and flavorful bite.

Every. Single. Time.

While the cake is still warm, sprinkle it generously with cinnamon sugar. Nothing is better.

close up side angled photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with slice cut

I really can’t describe just how good this cake tastes. You’ll just have to trust me here and give it a try.

And preferably this weekend, because it’s already mid-September and the apples are at their best. Find yourself an apple farm, pick fresh apples, bake this cake. The most perfect September weekend!

Bonus? The smells wafting through your house as this cake bakes are better than a fall candle. SO GOOD.

If you bake this over the weekend, you’ll have Monday morning breakfast all worked out. Because let’s be honest, this cake makes a great breakfast with a steaming mug of coffee. Or skip to the end of the day, and serve this cake as a sweet dessert with a scoop of ice cream. It’s great either way you serve it up, just be sure to serve it up. And soon!

overhead photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with multiple slices cut

If you make this spiced pecan apple cider doughnut cake be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Watch The How To Video:

Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 1094 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Streusel

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 10 cup bundt pan with butter, making sure to get into all the nooks and cranies.
  • 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Add the apple butter, beating until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix on low speed until just combined, being sure the batter is completely mixed.
  • 3. Slowly add in the apple cider, making sure the mixer is on low speed. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Be careful not to over beat the batter.
  • 4. To make the streusel. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the butter and use your fingers to mix the butter into the flour until a crumble forms. Stir in the apples and pecans.
  • 5. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, vanilla, and egg.
  • 6. To layer the cake. Spoon half the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 3/4 of the streusel over top the batter, then drizzle the maple syrup mix over the streusel. Spoon the remaining batter over the streusel and carefully spread in an even layer. Sprinkle on the remaining streusel. Transfer to the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top of the cake is browning, cover with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
  • 7. Let cool 10 minutes and then invert the cake onto a plate. Brush the cake with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Bundt Pan: You can buy my bundt pan here
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horizontal photo of Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with pieces cut

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Okay this was absolutely delicious!!! When I inverted the pan after letting it cool for 10 minutes, it broke in half. Next time I’ll let it cool a bit longer. The flavor was 100!! I’ll definitely be making it again.

  2. 4 stars
    I forgot to rate this… it’s fantastic. Made the apple butter a few weeks ago but it was gone way too fast! Had to make more for this recipe. Deliciousness on a piece of toast.

  3. Eating this wonderful cake with my coffee as I write. I used a regular bundt Pan which decreased the cooking time slightly. Next time I would layer it a bit different with the streusel on the bottom rather than last. I peeled the apples, but maybe not again

    1. Ooo sounds like an amazing morning! I am so glad you liked this, but I hope it turns out better next time, Darla! xTieghan

  4. This looks delicious! I’m thinking about cooking the apples beforehand to soften them (or maybe using grated apple). What do you think?

    1. Hey Josh, I don’t personally think the apples need to be pre-cooked unless you like a really, really soft apple in your baked good. I don’t recommend grating them as that will change the texture of the bread. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  5. 5 stars
    I knew I had to try this recipe when I saw it! I made my own apple butter, but from applesauce haha; it was faster!
    I didn’t have enough butter to brush the cake at the end, and I overmixed my streusel, so it looked like a thick dough! And finally, my cake broke in 2 when I inverted it on the plate 🙁 But that’s the 3rd recipe where this happens to me, so I’m thinking something is wrong with my bundt pan! (I always grease it generously…)
    Despite all this, the cake was absolutely delicious! The streusel layer was still somewhat noticeable, the cake was soft… My mom and I loved it! I will try it again, either in another bundt pan or anohter type of pan entirely!

  6. Delicious!! !I don’t do a lot of scratch cooking anymore, but the pictures and the recipe, tempted me to get out the baking equipment and I am so glad I did.

  7. 5 stars
    I accidentally forgot to add the maple syrup mixture when layering…but it still turned out amazing! Will make it properly next time haha.

  8. This looks so good! I’m planning to make this for a party next Saturday. Do you think it will keep well if I make it ahead on Thursday night? How should I store it?

    1. Hey Maggie! Yes, this keeps so well! Just store, well covered, at room temp (no sunlight or high heat). Should be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  9. I can’t have dairy so would I be able to substitute something for the butter? What’s a food substitute for apple butter?

    1. Hi Jessica, I would recommend using a vegan butter and unsweetened applesauce for the apple butter. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  10. Is a 10” bundt pan deeper than a basic one? I’m thinking the answer is “yes,” but just checking. Would it not fit in a basic one? Thanks – looks delicious!!!

    1. Hey David! A basic bundt pan is exactly what you need. Most basic bundt pans should hold around 10 cups. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  11. 5 stars
    Another super yummy recipe! I was gifted a couple of bags of apples from a friend and this recipe was the perfect use for some of them. My family devoured this for dessert tonight! Can’t wait for your new cookbook Tieghan!

  12. I saw this recipe today. It looked so good I had to get the ingredients that I didn’t have already and make it To-day!!!
    I just finished mixing it and it’s in the oven. I’m so excited I can hardly wait! I’ll let you know how wonderful it is. I know it will be because the ingredients are so rich and wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!