(Note: this post was originally published on November 5, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
If you've ever been apple picking, you've probably experienced the joy of a warm apple cider donut. Having grown up in Vermont, apple picking has always been a fall ritual for me. Sitting in the grass on a crisp sunny day eating just-picked apples and a still-warm cider donut is a fabulous treat.
Apple cider donuts, however, aren't a great choice nutritionally. They're deep-fried and most versions are made from refined flour and refined sugar. While they're a fun occasional treat at the orchard, they're not a great option for everyday. That's why I created this flavor-packed apple cider donut cake. It has all the same wonderful flavors as the classic donuts, but in a much healthier package.
In this version, we'll be ditching the frying and the heavy ingredients. This nostalgic cake is gluten-free thanks to whole oats and is naturally sweetened with apple butter and maple syrup. Instead of the oil or butter usually found in batters, this apple cider donut cake uses almond butter as a healthier fat option. You'll see that the recipe calls for a small amount of granulated sugar to create the cinnamon sugar topping, but you can omit that if you're avoiding refined sugars entirely.
Best of all, the batter for this easy "blender cake" is made right in the blender. That means you can whip up this apple cider donut cake with minimal hands-on time. What are you waiting for? It's time to bake!
If you're not from a region where apples are grown, you may not be familiar with apple cider. Most importantly, apple cider is not the same thing as apple juice. Apple juice is made by juicing apples that have been peeled and cored, yielding its distinctive light golden color. Apple cider, on the other hand, is made using the whole apple including the peels, seeds, and stems, using a press rather than a juicer. Incorporating the peels and cores gives apple cider a darker color and a richer flavor.
The complex flavor of apple cider is key for creating the deep apple taste and smell of this apple cider donut cake. While apple juice is mostly just sweet, apple cider is vibrant, multi-dimensional, and a bit earthy.
Want to get your hands on some apple cider this fall? The best bet is to go to a local orchard, although some grocery stores (and especially natural foods stores that carry local products) may have it. Real apple cider will be in the refrigerated section and contains no preservatives, sweeteners, or flavorings.
Like the name implies, the batter for a blender cake is made right in the blender. It's convenient, fast, and minimizes dirty dishes. Additionally, thanks to the powerful blender, you can use whole oats as the flour element. There's no need to buy pricey oat flour or to dirty a separate kitchen gadget to grind your own oat flour. The texture of the resulting cake is hearty, moist, and a bit fluffy, similar to a muffin or a baked donut.
Intrigued by the idea of preparing batter in the blender? I think you'll also love these Vegan Morning Glory Blender Muffins, these Vegan Mocha Banana Blender Muffins, and these Peanut Butter Banana Blender Muffins.
The secret to making this easy blender cake is to add the wet ingredients before the dry; using this sequence helps to prevent the dry ingredients from clumping below the blades. Other than that, this is essentially a dump-and-blend recipe; there are no separate bowls for wet/dry, no sifting, and in general no fuss.
The only part of this apple cider donut cake recipe that requires more than a few minutes is adding the pretty apple rings on top. You'll just cut a few large slices from an apple and cut out the core to make rings, adding them to the top of the cake before baking. The rest of the apple will go right into the blender with the other batter ingredients.
Here's what you'll need for this apple cider donut cake recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I can't wait for you to try this apple cider donut cake. It has all the same nostalgic flavors as apple cider donuts: juicy apple, warming cinnamon, delicate sweetness from maple syrup, and even that classic cinnamon sugar topping. But, unlike donuts, this blender cake is easy to make at home and loaded with nourishing ingredients. Because it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made vegan with one swap (see details in the substitutions section above), it's a treat that almost anyone can enjoy.
How will you enjoy this easy blender cake? The batter comes together in just a few minutes, so you can make it again and again throughout the season. Whether you have a slice for breakfast, bring a piece with you for on-the-go snacking, or serve it as an eye-catching fall dessert, I think you're going to love the cozy flavors.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing
This cozy apple cider donut cake features the nostalgic flavors typically found in donuts at the apple orchard. It's also gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and oil-free, so it's a fall breakfast or dessert you can feel good about enjoying.
For the Cake
For the Topping
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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