The Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts! Yummy apple cider donut recipe for fall or any time of year! Delicious baked apple donuts with a cinnamon sugar coating – YUM!
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Learn how to make the best baked apple cider doughnuts!
Nothing says fall like pumpkins, hay rides, and hot apple cider donuts! One of our family’s favorite fall traditions is taking a day trip to Apple Hill where we visit different farms and our favorite local apple orchard to sample all of their various goods – fresh apples and other fruits, apple cider, apple fritters, and of course, more varieties of apple cider donuts than you can even imagine!
Between the pandemic and the wildfires in California over the past couple of years, our annual trips to Apple Hill have been cut short, so we decided to create our own apple cider donut recipe to see if we could replicate our favorites. These baked apple cider donuts were the perfect substitute, and they definitely hit the spot!
We opted to make our apple cider donuts with a cinnamon sugar coating, but you could just as easily double the amount of apple cider reduction in the recipe and use the extra to make a delicious apple cider glaze if you prefer!
Check Out These Other Apple Recipes!
In a small saucepan, bring the fresh apple cider to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer as the apple cider reduces.
Preheat the oven and spray the donut pan with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Whisk together the milk, brown sugar, sugar, egg, butter, and vanilla.
Combine the wet ingredients (cider mixture) and the dry ingredients (flour mixture).
Pour the batter into a large plastic zipper bag, and cut off about 1/2″ at the corner (you could also use a piping bag if you have one!).
Pipe the batter into the baking pan so that each well is about half full. Bake until done and then allow the donuts to cool on a wire rack.
While the donuts are cooling, mix up the cinnamon sugar topping in a medium bowl.
Brush the donuts one at a time with melted butter (make sure to get both sides!).
Coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
YUMMMMM!
Apple Cider Donuts: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider in my apple donuts?
The difference between apple juice and apple cider is that apple juice has been filtered and sugar has been added to give it a less tart taste. You can opt to use apple juice instead of cider, but I would suggest using 1 cup and reducing it to 1/2 cup so it’s not too sweet.
Do I have to reduce the apple cider for apple cider donuts?
No, if you’re trying to speed up the amount of time it takes to make these donuts, you can choose to use ½ cup of apple cider. That said, I highly recommend that you don’t skip this step because it gives the donuts a bolder and more pronounced apple cider flavor.
Can I Use All Purpose Flour in My Apple Donuts?
Yes, you may substitute all-purpose flour for the cake flour, however, you will need to combine the flour with 4 tablespoons of cornstarch before adding to the dry ingredients. You can read more about how to make your own cake flour substitute here.
Can I add mix-ins like fresh apples to my apple cider donuts?
Of course! Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins as desired – we like to add things like chopped apple pieces (about 1 cup), golden raisins or Craisins (1/2 cup), walnuts or other chopped nuts (1/2 cup) to our apple cider donuts to add even more layers of flavor!
How do I Store Apple Cider Donuts?
Store your apple cider donuts in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Can I Freeze Apple Cider Donuts?
Yes! Apple cider donuts freeze very well! Wrap each donut individually with plastic wrap and then place them in a zipper bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Easy Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe
Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
What You’ll Need:
Donuts:
- 1 1/2 cups Apple Cider
- 2 cups Cake Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 2 Tbsp Butter, melted
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Topping:
- 1/2 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 5 Tbsp Butter, melted
Instructions:
To Make the Donuts:
- In a small saucepot, bring the apple cider to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow the cider to reduce to 1/2 cup (this will take about 10-15 minutes). Allow to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease the donut pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Whisk together the milk, brown sugar, sugar, egg, butter, and vanilla in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Pour the batter into a large plastic zipper bag, and cut off about 1/2" at the corner. Pipe the batter into the baking pan so that each well is about half full.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until they are cooked through and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a cooling rack.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
- Brush the donuts with the butter (one at a time), making sure to coat both sides, before dipping the donut into the cinnamon mixture until it is well coated.
Notes:
Nutrition
These delicious apple cider donuts are sure to become one of your favorite fall desserts, and the warm spicy apple flavor will knock your socks off! This easy recipe also makes great apple cider donut holes if you use a specialty donut hole pan, too!
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Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.