Ready to bake? Let’s dive into the steps to make your Moist Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake starts baking immediately once you mix everything together. A hot oven helps create a nice rise!

Step 2: Prepare the Loaf Pan

• Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter and dust it lightly with flour. This will help the cake release easily after baking.

Step 3: Reduce the Apple Cider

• In a small saucepan, pour in the apple cider. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook down for about 15 minutes, or until it has reduced to about ¾ cup. This concentrated cider will enhance the flavor of your loaf. Set it aside to cool.

Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and apple sauce until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Once the reduced cider has cooled to room temperature, add it to the mixture and blend well.

Step 5: Combine the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This step ensures that your leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps. This will keep your loaf nice and tender!

Step 7: Bake the Cake

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it; if the top is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

• Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is where the magic happens—the aroma will fill your kitchen, making it hard to resist!