Print

Brown Butter Apple Cider Donut Cake

brown butter apple cider donut cake - featured image
Print Recipe

A cozy fall dessert featuring a moist, tender crumb with brown butter, fresh apples, and a sweet maple glaze. Perfect for gatherings and easy to make in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup (180ml) apple cider, warmed
  • 1 cup peeled and diced fresh apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • For the Maple Glaze:
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (dairy or plant-based)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. Brown the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden brown and nutty smelling (4-6 minutes). Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In another bowl, whisk brown sugar with browned butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Warm the apple cider gently and slowly add to the wet mixture, stirring to combine.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  7. Fold in the diced apples evenly throughout the batter.
  8. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
  9. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Edges should pull away slightly from the pan.
  10. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  11. Make the maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and drizzle-able.
  12. Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the maple glaze evenly over the top and let set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use unsalted butter from a trusted brand for best browning results. Peel apples for a smoother crumb. Warm apple cider before adding to batter to avoid seizing. Avoid overmixing to keep cake tender. Let glaze set before slicing. For gluten-free, substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Dairy-free options include margarine or coconut oil and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter, apple cider, donut cake, fall dessert, maple glaze, easy cake, cozy dessert

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/brown-butter-apple-cider-donut-cake-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-cozy-fall-dessert/