Perfectly Spiced Apple Cider Donut Cake

You catch the smell through the steam vent and suddenly you are starving. That sweet scent of apples and cinnamon kinda sneak up on you and dont wanna leave your kitchen. The steam cues from the pressure cooker tell you something real good is happening inside.

You spot the soft golden top through the little window and your mouth waters. This ain't just any cake. It's like biting into a fresh apple cider donut but in a big ol cake form that you slice up and share (or not, yknow how it goes). The tender pull and crumb get ya every time.

If youre like me, you gotta love when the kitchen smells this dang good and you didnt gotta babysit the oven all day. The pressure cooker is doing the work while you chill or prep your next meal. And trust me, the flavor? Its unbeatable when you make it this way.

What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round

• You get quick release that saves you so much time when youre hungry.
• The steam in the cooker seals flavors in tight with the sealing ring workin hard.
• Broth depth inside means moisture stays put so your cake comes out super tender.
• No need to keep opening the lid, just trust the steam cues and let the cooker do its thing.
• This method keeps your kitchen cool unlike a hot oven burnin up the whole place.
• Cleanup's a breeze since you use just one pot for mixing and cooking.

All the Pieces for This Meal

• 3 cups all-purpose flour  makes the cake sturdy but soft enough to pull apart.
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon  that warm spice that makes you feel all cozy inside.
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg  just a dab to add a little extra warmth and depth.
• 1 ½ tablespoon baking powder  gets that cake rising nice and fluffy.
• 1 teaspoon salt  balances out sweetness and spices real good.
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar  sweetens the batter just right.
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed  adds a bit of molasses-y flavor to round things out.
• 1 cup vegetable oil  keeps the cake moist without heaviness.
• 3 large eggs at room temp  helps everything bind and rise smooth.
• 1 cup applesauce at room temp  adds apple flavor and keeps it tender.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  the subtle sweet note that pulls it all together.
• 1 cup apple cider room temp  the star ingredient making this a true apple cider donut cake.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter melted  for brushing and adding richness.
• ¼ cup coarse sugar and 2 teaspoon cinnamon  to sprinkle on top for that classic cinnamon sugar crunch.

Walking Through Every Single Move

First, grease and flour your cake pan. I like a bundt pan or a 9-inch one. This helps the cake release easy after cooking. You wanna keep that tender pull intact.

Next, whisk your dry ingredients together. That means flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Mixing 'em well makes sure every bite's balanced.

In a different bowl, mix your sugars, vegetable oil, eggs, and applesauce. Stir it up until it looks smooth and homogenous. This is your wet mix.

Then, slowly add the dry into the wet, stirring gently. Dont overmix or you might lose that nice fluffy texture y'all want.

Pour your batter into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula. You wanna keep an even surface so it cooks nice and even.

Put the pan into the pressure cooker. Add water below the broth depth line so you get enough steam going. Lock the lid on with the sealing ring in place. Set to bake pressure.

Cook it for about 40 to 45 minutes. Watch the steam cues till you hit the right tender pull. Then do a quick release when the time is up. Be careful with that hot steam, y'all!

Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then flip it out onto a wire rack to cool fully. When cool, brush the melted butter on top and sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mix. Now you got that classic donut cake crunch and shine.

Time Savers That Actually Work

• Use room temp ingredients so the batter comes together faster without lumps.
• Mix your dry ingredients ahead of time and keep 'em in a jar ready to go.
• Grease and flour your pan the night before to skip steps on baking day.
• While the cake cooks, wash dishes from prep to save time on cleaning later.
• Keep your sealing ring clean and ready so it seals properly every time, no delays.

The Flavor Experience Waiting for You

You know that smell of cinnamon and apples in the air? Thats just the start. When you cut into this cake, you gotta feel the soft crumb with that gentle pull that kinda melts in your mouth.

The apple cider in the batter adds a tangy sweetness you cant fake. It works real good with the warm spices and a touch of brown sugar for richness. You taste every layer of the flavors without them overpowering one another.

That cinnamon sugar top finishes it all up with a crunch and sparkle. Its like a doughnut, but yknow, better cause its homemade and warm and made with love in your pressure cooker.

How to Store This for Later

If you got leftovers, no worries y'all. Store your apple cider donut cake wrapped tight in plastic wrap or a sealed container. It stays moisture rich for up to 3 days on the counter.

For longer, pop it in the fridge wrapped well. This will keep it fresh about a week or so. Just bring to room temp before serving to get back that tender pull.

You can freeze slices too. Wrap 'em tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then warm a bit in microwave or oven for that just-baked feel.

Everything Else You Wondered About

• Can I make this dairy free? Sure! Just swap unsalted butter for a dairy free version and it will work fine.
• What if I dont have a bundt pan? Use any 9-inch cake pan that fits in your pressure cooker. Just grease and flour well.
• Why room temp ingredients? They mix better and give smoother batter without clumps or cold spots.
• How do I know when its done? Check the cake with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, then youre good to go.
• Can I add nuts or raisins? Yeah, toss 'em in the batter before cooking if you want extra texture and flavor.
• Do I gotta clean the sealing ring each time? Yup, its best to keep it clean so your cooker seals perfectly every time and keeps that broth depth right.

For more delicious kitchen inspiration, try our Deviled Eggs With Bacon or explore quick eats like Bacon And Egg Foo Young and Cheesy Bacon Hashbrown Waffles.