Description
Enjoy the cozy flavors of fall with these baked Apple Cider Donuts — soft, fluffy donuts infused with concentrated apple cider and warm spices, then rolled in a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. A comforting treat that’s easy to make and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prep the Donut Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan well to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider until smooth and fully blended.
- Make the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix for light, tender donuts.
- Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about 2/3 full for even baking.
- Bake the Donuts: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Serve: Enjoy your apple cider donuts warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For deeper apple flavor, don’t skip reducing the cider — it’s the key to rich taste.
- These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- You can reheat donuts briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, try baking in a muffin tin for apple cider donut muffins.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 32mg