Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts for Cozy Fall Moments
If you’re craving a cozy fall treat that pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee or cider, these homemade apple cider donuts will hit the spot. Made with reduced apple cider and coated in a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping, these donuts bring all the comforting flavors of autumn to your kitchen. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, making them a bit lighter than traditional donuts.
Apple Cider Donuts
The key to the intense apple flavor is reducing the apple cider down to concentrate its sweet, tangy notes. It only takes about 20 minutes but adds so much depth to the donuts. Once the cider is ready, you’ll mix it into a batter that’s filled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla for extra warmth and sweetness.
After baking, the real magic happens with the cinnamon sugar topping. A quick dip in melted butter followed by a roll in cinnamon sugar gives these donuts their signature crispy, sweet coating. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or store them for later, they’re sure to bring the taste of fall to any morning or snack time!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
There’s so much to love about this apple cider donut recipe! First, the concentrated apple cider adds an intense fall flavor, making each bite taste like autumn in a donut. People will also love how these donuts are baked instead of fried, making them a bit lighter while still delivering that satisfying, soft texture. Plus, the cinnamon sugar coating gives the perfect amount of crunch and sweetness on the outside, making them irresistible. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe is simple to follow and brings cozy, homemade vibes to your kitchen!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, melted
How to make apple cider donuts
- Reduce the apple cider. Pour the cider into a small saucepan over low heat. Continue to heat the cider until it is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Keep checking as it is cooking, mine took a total of about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a donut pan with nonstick spray
- Melt butter and allow to cool slightly
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, beat egg with a whisk. Then add milk, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla and whisk until fully combined and smooth. Next add reduced apple cider whisk again.
- Combine the wet cider mixture into the dry mixture and whisk all ingredients until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared donut pan; fill each well about 2/3 of the way full.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the pan and allow to continue to cool.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- Melt butter in a shallow bowl. Once melted, whisk and combine sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip the donuts into the butter, sugar mixture. You may also use your fingers to coat it if you want a thicker coating. Repeat with remaining donuts
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Reducing the Apple Cider: Don’t skip the step of reducing the apple cider! It’s key to getting that rich, concentrated flavor. Keep an eye on it as it simmers to avoid over-reducing, and aim for about half a cup.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your egg, milk, and melted butter are at room temperature before mixing. This helps everything blend smoothly and gives your donuts a better texture.
Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts instead of soft and fluffy ones.
Donut Pan Hack: If you don’t have a donut pan, you can create donut molds using tin foil to form rings or use a muffin pan and cut out the centers after baking.
Double Dip for Extra Flavor: For an extra indulgent treat, double dip the donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture for a thicker, crunchier coating!
Storing Tips: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat them briefly before serving to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Apple Cider Donuts
Apple Cider Donuts are a fall favorite. You will love this delicious baked treat that combines apple cider and other pantry ingredients to make this fun treat for the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Reduce the apple cider. Pour the cider into a small saucepan over low heat. Continue to heat the cider until it is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Keep checking as it is cooking, mine took a total of about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a donut pan with nonstick spray
- Melt butter and allow to cool slightly
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg with a whisk. Then add milk, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla and whisk until fully combined and smooth. Next, add reduced apple cider whisk again.
- Combine the wet cider mixture into the dry mixture and whisk all ingredients until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared donut pan; fill each well about 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the pan and allow to continue to cool.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- Melt butter in a shallow bowl. Once melted, whisk and combine sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip the donuts into the butter, sugar mixture. You may also use your fingers to coat it if you want a thicker coating. Repeat with remaining donuts
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy!
Notes
*Makes 12 donuts
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 236mgCarbohydrates: 68gFiber: 2gSugar: 48gProtein: 3g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
