This scrumptious apple cider cake is moist, fluffy, and flavored with warm, comforting spices. Made with just 4 ingredients, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to impress. A slice of apple cider cake on a white and gold plate.

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Super easy – All you have to do is boil some apple cider to concentrate the flavor. Mix that along with 3 other ingredients and you’ve got cake!
  • Can be made in advance – Make this cake a day or two in advance to make it easy on yourself the day of.
  • Feels homemade – This cake looks and tastes like it was made from scratch. It’s also made pretty in a bundt pan so decorating or frosting is needed. No one would ever know how easy it was or that it was made with a cake mix.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • Apple cider
  • Spice cake mix
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil

Ingredients for apple cider cake with cake mix.

How to make apple cider reduction:

In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer until it reduces down to half the volume.

Tip: Make the apple cider reduction up to 3 days in advance. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.

How to make apple cider cake:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

  1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the spice cake mix, apple cider reduction, eggs, and vegetable oil together using an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
  2. Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan.
  3. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Apple cider bundt cake on a white and gold marble cake stand.

Substitutions and variations:

  • Apple cider – cold-pressed pure apple juice can be used if you can’t find apple cider
  • Cake mix– yellow or white cake mix can be used, but I would add 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice or cinnamon to the mix
  • Vegetable oil – can be substituted with equal amounts of melted butter or any neutral-tasting oil
  • Eggs – can be replaced with 3/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for a vegan option
  • Add-ins – 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chopped walnuts and/or shredded apples can be folded into the batter at the end before baking

How to serve:

Serve as is, with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze. For a special occasion, serve warm with a custard or brandy sauce.

Custard sauce being poured over a slice of apple cider cake.

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Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.

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Apple Cider Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Lily Ernst
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 16
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This scrumptious apple cider cake is moist, fluffy, and flavored with warm, comforting spices. Made with just 4 ingredients, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to impress.


Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider (reduced to 1 cup) 
  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer until it reduces down to half the volume. Place in the fridge to cool while the oven preheats.
  2. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a bundt pan and set it aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix the spice cake mix, apple cider reduction, eggs, and vegetable oil together using an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tip: Make the apple cider reduction up to 3 days in advance. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.