This easy Apple Cider Cake recipe comes together in minutes with a boxed cake mix, pudding mix, applesauce, and fresh apple. It’s full of cozy apple flavor and finished with a delicious Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — a must-try dessert for fall!
Apple Cider Cake Made Simple
Forget complicated desserts, this cake is quick to prepare using only a few simple ingredients. Once it’s in the oven, its fragrant blend of apples and cinnamon will quickly fill your home, acting as a delicious magnet for everyone around.
The apple cider and pudding make a super moist cake that’s so flavorful, making every bite tender, moist, and full of cozy apple goodness. The combination of cinnamon and fresh apples make it a perfect treat for the fall season, or any time you want a comforting dessert.
I enjoy baking cakes from scratch, like my Oatmeal Cake or this Tornado Cake, but I’m also a big fan of the convenience that comes with a boxed mix. It makes baking so easy! I use them for classic favorites like Mississippi Mud Cake and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
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Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes, Variations, and Swaps
I’ve only highlighted ingredients that I think can be substituted or have variations—check the recipe card below for the complete list. I recommend using the ingredients listed for the frosting, but you’ve got options there too! Instead of making it homemade you can use any flavor of store-bought frosting that you think pairs well with this cake.
- Apple Cider: This adds the best apple flavor, but you can swap it with apple juice if you can’t find cider or want a more affordable option.
- Apple: Use whatever type of apple you like. We like to shred the apple, but small chunks of apples will work if you don’t have a grater. If you have leftover apples these Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes are a tasty way to use them up.
- Cake Mix: I usually use a white cake mix, but a spice or yellow cake mix will work too. If you use a spice cake mix, you might want to reduce or skip the cinnamon.
- Pudding: I like vanilla pudding for this recipe, but feel free to use any flavor you think pairs well with apple.
- Spice: I’ve only made this cake with cinnamon, but apple pie spice would work too. You could also swap part of the cinnamon for nutmeg if you like.
- Applesauce: I use this instead of added fat, but it can be swapped with canola or vegetable oil, melted butter, or even sour cream.
How to Make Apple Cider Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Here’s a quick look at the steps (with photos). You’ll find more detailed instructions in the recipe card below.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, eggs, applesauce, cinnamon, and cider. Mix on medium speed with an electric mixer until just combined. Gently fold in the apples using a rubber spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 34–38 minutes, or until the sides pull away from the pan and the top is lightly golden brown.
For the frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter together in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add the sifted powdered sugar and salt and mix until smooth, then mix in the maple syrup until fully combined.
Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
Storage
Since the frosting contains dairy, this cake is best stored in the refrigerator. We’ve kept it for up to 5 days, and it stayed moist and delicious the whole time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This cake freezes well even with the frosting. Freeze the frosted cake unwrapped on a parchment lined sheet pan until completely solid, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Unwrap before thawing so the plastic wrap doesn’t stick. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Yes, just cut them into small pieces so they cook through.
Yes! The cake is moist and flavorful on its own. You can dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle it with a simple glaze instead.
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Apple Cider Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 package vanilla pudding 3.4 ounces
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ¼ apple cider
- 1 cup shredded apple
- nonstick cooking spray
For the frosting:
- 1 block softened cream cheese 8 ounces
- ½ cup softened butter 1 stick
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
Make the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 9" X 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray.nonstick cooking spray
- Mix the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, applesauce, cinnamon and apple cider in a large bowl with an electric mixer.1 white cake mix, 1 package vanilla pudding, 4 eggs, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 ¼ apple cider
- Fold in apples with a rubber spatula.1 cup shredded apple
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 34-38 minutes or until the top begins to brown and the edges pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Make the frosting:
- Place the cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and cream until fluffy and combined.1 block softened cream cheese, ½ cup softened butter
- Add the powdered sugar and pinch of salt and continue to mix until well combined. Mix in the maple syrup.2 cups sifted powdered sugar, pinch of salt, 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Frost the cooled cake.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.