As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like baking a cake that captures the essence of autumn. Enter the Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake—a delightful creation that evokes cozy gatherings with its warm flavors and inviting aroma. The soft, tender crumb of this cake pairs beautifully with the sparkling cider glaze, delivering a sweet yet tart punch that brightens your day. It feels like a little discovery that deserves to be shared around the kitchen table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake is more than just a treat; it’s a heartwarming hug in dessert form. The combination of fluffy cake and sparkling cider glaze will make your taste buds dance. Plus, it’s perfect for any occasion, from festive gatherings to quiet evenings at home with a good book and a cup of tea.

Ingredients Needed For Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the backbone of your cake, giving it structure. Make sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup for accuracy.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cake rise beautifully. Double-check that it’s fresh for the best results.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Another rising agent that ensures your cake is fluffy and light.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor. Don’t skip this—it’s essential to balance the sweetness.
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and moisture. Melt it gently to keep it smooth.
• 2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake, contributing to its lovely texture. You can reduce it slightly if you prefer a less sweet cake.
• 1 tablespoon sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: A secret ingredient that adds moisture and tenderness. Greek yogurt works wonders if you want a tangy twist.
• 5 eggs: Provide structure and help the cake rise. Make sure they’re at room temperature for better blending.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla: Adds a warm, sweet aroma that complements the other flavors beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Boosts the chemical reaction with baking soda for a fluffier cake.
• 1 cup sparkling (apple cider): The star ingredient that gives the cake its delightful flavor and lightness.
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar: For the glaze, it brings extra sweetness.
• 1/4 cup sparkling cider: Enhances the flavor and adds the perfect sparkle to the glaze.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness to your glaze.
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar: Makes the glaze smooth and sweet.
• Pinch salt: Just a hint to balance out the sweetness in your glaze.
• 1-2 tablespoons sparkling cider: For the icing, adjust for your desired consistency.
• Sprinkles (optional): A fun touch for presentation. Feel free to get creative!

How to Make Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray (the kind that has flour in it) or grease and flour it well.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for now.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Then mix in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt).
4. Add the eggs one by one, ensuring each is well mixed before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and white vinegar.
5. Pour in the sparkling cider, followed by the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until everything is moistened—don’t overmix!
6. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place it on a cookie sheet to catch any drips and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. Combine sugar and sparkling cider in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
8. Once the cake is done, cool it in the pan for 15 minutes. Use a knife to loosen the edges and carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
9. Use a pastry brush to brush the sparkling cider glaze over the top of the cake. Let it cool completely.
10. For the icing, whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the sparkling cider, starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more until you reach your desired consistency.
11. Frost the cooled cake with the icing and sprinkle with decorative sprinkles, if desired.
12. Store the cake loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, but I doubt it will last that long!

How to Serve Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

Slice the cake and serve it on a cozy plate, perhaps with a warm beverage like tea or coffee. It’s a delightful dessert for gatherings and family dinners, or an indulgent treat for a quiet evening at home.

How to Store Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

This cake stores beautifully at room temperature for up to 3 days when loosely covered. Keep it away from direct sunlight, and it will maintain its tenderness and flavor. For longer storage, you can wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to three months.

Tips to Make Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

• Don’t rush the cooling process! Allow your cake to cool adequately before inverting it to avoid crumbling.
• Check the doneness! Ovens can vary, so check your cake a few minutes early to ensure it doesn’t overbake.
• Experiment with flavors! If you want to experiment with different flavors, add a spice like cinnamon or nutmeg, or use a flavored sparkling cider for a twist!

Variations and Substitutions

• Gluten-free: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a direct substitute for regular flour.
• Dairy-free options: Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine and use almond or oat milk yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Citrus twist: Add orange or lemon zest to the batter for a bright flavor note!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular apple cider instead of sparkling cider?

Yes, you can use regular apple cider, but it won’t have the same bubbly effect. Sparkling cider adds a fun fizz that enhances the texture of the cake.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The best way to check is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done!

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake stays moist for days, so feel free to bake it a day or two ahead of when you plan to serve it.

What can I substitute for eggs if I want a vegan version?

You can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for each egg in the recipe, or a store-bought egg replacer would work as well.

What type of pan is best for this recipe?

A 12-cup bundt pan is ideal for this recipe. If you use a different size, adjust the baking time accordingly.

Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake

This delightful Sparkling Cider Bundt Cake captures the essence of autumn with its tender crumb and flavorful sparkling cider glaze, perfect for cozy gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine American, Seasonal

Servings 12 servings

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour Spoon into measuring cup for accuracy.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder Ensure it’s fresh for best results.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda Another rising agent for fluffiness.
• 1 teaspoon salt Essential to balance sweetness.
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Melt gently for smoothness.
• 2 cups granulated sugar Can be reduced for less sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon sour cream or plain Greek yogurt Adds moisture; Greek yogurt adds tang.
• 5 large eggs Ensure room temperature for better blending.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds warm aroma.
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar Boosts fluffiness.
• 1 cup sparkling apple cider Provides flavor and lightness.

For the Glaze

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar Adds sweetness to the glaze.
• 1/4 cup sparkling cider Enhances flavor and sparkle.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Adds richness.
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar Makes glaze smooth and sweet.
• 1 pinch salt Balances sweetness.
• 1-2 tablespoons sparkling cider Adjust for desired icing consistency.

For Serving

• as desired sprinkles Optional for decoration.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease and flour it well.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Then, mix in the sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Add the eggs one by one, ensuring each is well mixed before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and white vinegar.
• Pour in the sparkling cider, followed by the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just moistened—don’t overmix!
• Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place it on a cookie sheet to catch drips and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Glazing and Icing

• While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by combining sugar and sparkling cider in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
• Once the cake is done, cool it in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
• Brush the sparkling cider glaze over the top of the cake. Let it cool completely.
• For icing, whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add sparkling cider until desired consistency is reached.
• Frost the cooled cake with icing and sprinkle with decorative sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Store the cake loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to three months. Don’t rush the cooling process to avoid crumbling.

Keyword Autumn Dessert, Bundt Cake, Cozy Cakes, Fall Baking, Sparkling Cider