Apple Cider Donuts
Apple cider donuts are a family favorite every autumn but we don’t always have the chance to hit the apple orchards for them. Thankfully, you can whip up your own batch at home for this quintessential taste of fall!
Baked instead of fried, homemade apple cider donuts are light and tender, with all of the apple flavor you love. The secret? Cooking the cider down until it is thick and full of concentrated apple flavor!
Why You’ll Love Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- No need to leave the house: these can be made right at home in your pajamas.
- Because they’re baked, there’s no messy frying to deal with, or need to dispose the oil. Just clean the pan and you’re done.
- Apple cider flavor is infused throughout the donuts, for that classic fall taste.
- The reduced cider can be made ahead of time, so you can make these donuts quickly at breakfast time.
- Warming spices are the perfect pair with tart apples—it’s almost like drinking a cup of cider!
Key ingredients for this recipe
This is just an overview. For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
You will also need a donut pan to make these. They’re great for making all kinds of donuts from chocolate donuts to matcha donuts!
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Reduce apple cider
Pour the cider into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to ½ cup—this will take 15-20 minutes but can be done ahead.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
Whisk together the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Mix wet ingredients
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the reduced cider
Step 4: Combine batter
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, just until combined and no dry pockets remain.
Pro tip: Don’t overmix, or your donuts can be tough instead of fluffy.
Step 5: Bake
Fill the greased donut pan about ¾ full and bake 12-15 minutes.
Step 6: Add coating
Let the donuts cool for a few minutes, then brush with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar.
Recipe tips
Don’t overmix the batter, or the donuts can end up tough instead of light and fluffy. Think of these like a quick bread or muffin, and use a light touch when mixing.
The batter will be thick, so take care when filling the pan. Using two spoons or a spring-loaded scoop can help.
Make sure to grease the donut pan well to prevent sticking. Wipe it out and re-grease between batches.
Don’t fill the wells too high, or the batter will overflow and you’ll lose the hole in the middle.
Using a spoon or thin metal offset spatula can help you remove any stubborn donuts from the pan.
These are best served immediately, especially with a hot pumpkin spice latte or london fog, but you can store leftovers in a loosely covered container for 2 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing, or the sugar coating can soak into the donuts.
Take a big bite of fall flavors with these easy homemade apple cider donuts!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
For the topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.1 1/2 cups apple cider
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan with baking spray or butter.
- Whisk melted butter with the brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined. Whisk in the reduced apple cider.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Add the dry ingredients to the cider mixture and stir until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared donut cavities, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the donuts spring back lightly when pressed and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Wipe out pan, re-grease, and bake with any remaining batter.
- Brush the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter over the warm donuts. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, then toss each donut in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Megan Myers has been sharing her favorite recipes online for 20 years. She has worked for companies like Whole Foods Market, Texas Co-Op Power, and Good Catch Foods. Her favorite breakfast food is waffles with plenty of maple syrup.