Irresistible Baked Apple Cider Donuts: Your Ultimate Fall Recipe Guide
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these delightful baked apple cider donuts. Soft, moist, and wonderfully cakey, each donut is infused with the rich, concentrated essence of apple cider and a harmonious blend of warm, inviting spices. Topped with a generous cinnamon-sugar coating, these homemade treats offer the quintessential taste of fall in every bite, without the fuss or mess of deep-frying. They are the perfect comforting indulgence for crisp mornings, afternoon snacks, or sharing with loved ones, making them an ideal addition to your fall baking traditions.
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Why You’ll Adore These Baked Apple Cider Donuts
These baked apple cider donuts aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience that captures the essence of autumn. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a beloved staple in your fall baking repertoire:
- Intense Apple Flavor: The true magic of these donuts comes from reducing fresh apple cider. This crucial step concentrates its natural sweetness and tangy flavor, ensuring every bite is bursting with authentic apple essence, reminiscent of a crisp afternoon spent at a bustling apple orchard. Forget artificial flavors; this is pure, unadulterated apple goodness.
- Perfectly Spiced for Fall: A carefully balanced blend of warm cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, subtle allspice, and a hint of cloves creates that unmistakable cozy feeling of autumn. These aromatic spices complement the concentrated apple cider beautifully, elevating the donuts from simple cake to a truly sophisticated and comforting fall treat that will awaken your senses.
- Baked for a Lighter Touch: Say goodbye to the heavy, greasy feeling often associated with deep-fried donuts. Our recipe calls for baking these delights, resulting in a lighter, yet incredibly moist and tender cakey texture. They offer all the satisfaction of their fried counterparts but are much easier to make at home, requiring less oil and cleanup, and presenting a healthier option.
- Effortless Homemade Goodness: You don’t need a deep fryer or any specialized equipment to achieve bakery-quality donuts right in your own kitchen. With common kitchen tools and straightforward, easy-to-follow steps, these donuts come together quickly, making them accessible and enjoyable for even novice bakers.
- Versatile Pairing: These apple cider donuts are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. They pair perfectly with a steaming mug of hot coffee, a comforting cup of tea, or a glass of spiced warm apple cider for an extra boost of fall flavor. For a more decadent dessert, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
- An Aromatic Delight: The moment these donuts begin to bake, your home will be filled with the most incredible, intoxicating aroma of warm apples and inviting spices. It’s truly the scent of autumn itself, creating an inviting and comforting atmosphere that is almost as delightful as actually eating the donuts!
If you’re looking for other cozy treats to warm up your fall and winter season, be sure to try our Pumpkin Scones, Pumpkin Apple Muffins, Panettone French Toast, Morning Buns, and Zucchini Bread. They are all perfect companions for the season and complement the comforting flavors of these apple cider donuts beautifully.
Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients, precise measurements, and comprehensive step-by-step instructions for these baked apple cider donuts.
Ingredients Spotlight: The Secret to Amazing Apple Cider Donut Flavor
Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving the perfect taste and texture in your baked apple cider donuts. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe special:
- Fresh Apple Cider: This is unequivocally the star ingredient! Reducing it significantly concentrates the natural sugars and tangy notes, providing an unparalleled depth of authentic apple flavor. This step is non-negotiable for achieving that signature apple cider donut taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural foundation of our moist, cakey donuts. Accurate measurement (spooned and leveled, not scooped) is crucial to prevent the donuts from becoming dense or dry.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These dual leavening agents work in harmony with the acidic buttermilk to create a beautifully light, fluffy, and tender crumb. They are responsible for the delightful rise of the donuts in the oven.
- Warm Spices (Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves): This aromatic quartet is indispensable for imparting that comforting, quintessential fall flavor. The blend is carefully balanced to enhance, rather than overpower, the apple. Feel free to slightly adjust quantities to your personal preference, but this combination offers a classic taste.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds essential richness and moisture to the donut batter, contributing to its tender texture. Using unsalted butter allows you precise control over the overall salt content of the recipe.
- Large Egg: Acts as a crucial binder, helping to emulsify the ingredients and provide structure and richness to the donuts. Ensuring the egg is at room temperature allows it to incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
- Granulated & Dark Brown Sugar: The combination of these two sugars provides not only sweetness but also contributes significantly to the donuts’ moistness and depth of flavor. Dark brown sugar, with its molasses content, adds a lovely caramel-like note that beautifully complements the apple and spices, enhancing the overall fall profile.
- Buttermilk: Its acidity is vital as it reacts with the baking soda to create lift and contributes to the exceptionally tender crumb of the donuts. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then filling the rest with whole milk until you reach the ½ cup mark. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it slightly curdles before using.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of good quality vanilla extract always enhances baked goods, adding another layer of complex, aromatic flavor that subtly elevates the taste of these apple cider donuts.
- Kosher Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, kosher salt balances the sweetness of the sugars and meticulously brings out all the other delightful flavors in the donuts, preventing them from tasting flat.
Essential Equipment for Crafting Perfect Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
Making these baked apple cider donuts is wonderfully simple and doesn’t demand a vast array of specialized kitchen tools. However, having a few key items on hand will significantly streamline your baking process and guarantee successful, perfectly shaped donuts:
- Donut Pans: This is, without a doubt, the most crucial piece of equipment for baked donuts. Standard non-stick donut pans, typically featuring 6 cavities, are widely available at kitchen supply stores, department stores, or online retailers. For effortless release and to prevent any sticking, we strongly recommend generously spraying the cavities with a high-quality non-stick baking spray that contains flour. You will likely need two standard 6-cavity pans to bake all 14 donuts efficiently in two batches.
- Small Saucepan: An indispensable tool for the cider reduction step. Its size is perfect for simmering the apple cider down to its concentrated form, maximizing the apple flavor in your donuts.
- Medium and Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for organized preparation. You’ll need one medium bowl for whisking your dry ingredients thoroughly and a larger bowl for combining the wet ingredients, and ultimately, bringing the entire donut batter together.
- Whisk: A good whisk is vital for several stages of this recipe. It’s used for thoroughly combining dry ingredients, blending wet ingredients until smooth, and finally, gently mixing the batter without overworking it.
- Rubber Spatula: This flexible tool is excellent for scraping down the sides of your mixing bowls, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated, and for gently folding the batter.
- Wire Rack & Baking Sheet: After baking, a wire rack is essential for cooling your donuts evenly, allowing air to circulate around them and prevent condensation that can make them soggy. Placing this rack over a baking sheet is a smart move, as it will catch any excess cinnamon sugar and melted butter during the coating process, making cleanup significantly easier. Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper will simplify cleanup even further.
- Piping Bag (Optional but Highly Recommended): While you can meticulously spoon the batter into the donut cavities, using a piping bag (or a sturdy large ziplock bag with one corner snipped off) offers a much neater, faster, and more efficient way to fill the molds. This technique helps achieve perfectly round and uniformly shaped donuts with minimal mess.
How to Bake Irresistible Apple Cider Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly baked apple cider donuts that are sure to impress everyone with their rich flavor and tender texture!
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Reduce the Apple Cider: Begin by pouring 1 1/2 cups of fresh apple cider into a small saucepan. Place it over medium heat and bring the cider to a gentle simmer. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the cider has reduced significantly to precisely 1/2 cup. This concentration process typically takes about 20 minutes, but keep a close watch, as it can reduce quickly towards the end. Once reduced, remove the saucepan from the heat and set the concentrated cider aside to cool for at least 15 minutes. While it cools, preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and generously spray your donut pans with a non-stick baking spray that contains flour to ensure the donuts release easily.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, meticulously whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground cloves, and kosher salt. It’s crucial to ensure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This step prevents any pockets of leavening agents or concentrated spices in your finished donuts, guaranteeing a uniform rise and flavor.
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Prepare Wet Ingredients and Combine: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted (and cooled) unsalted butter, one large room-temperature egg, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, room-temperature buttermilk, and vanilla extract until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture appears smooth and well-emulsified. Next, gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the cooled, reduced apple cider. Whisk gently, just until the ingredients are combined and no streaks of dry flour remain. It is absolutely crucial not to overmix the batter at this stage, as overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, chewy donuts rather than the desired light and tender texture.
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Fill Pans and Bake: Carefully spoon the donut batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity only halfway. This is a critical step to ensure that they bake evenly, maintain their distinct donut shape, and prevent any messy overflowing during baking. For a cleaner and more efficient process, you can transfer the batter to a large ziplock bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the batter into the molds. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Allow the baked donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack. Position this wire rack over a baking sheet (preferably lined with parchment paper) to catch any drips during the next step.
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Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While the donuts are still delightfully warm from the oven, melt the specified amount of unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice to create your aromatic coating mixture. Using a pastry brush, generously brush each donut entirely with the melted butter, ensuring full coverage. Then, immediately toss or gently roll the buttered donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated on all sides. The residual warmth of the donut and the melted butter will help the sugar mixture adhere beautifully, creating that irresistible sweet and crunchy exterior. Repeat this entire process for all remaining donuts. Serve them warm for the ultimate treat and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Expert Tips for Crafting Perfect Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Achieve bakery-worthy results every single time you make these delightful donuts with these invaluable expert tips and tricks:
- Never Skip the Cider Reduction: This step is arguably the most critical for achieving that deep, authentic, and intense apple flavor that defines an excellent apple cider donut. Simmering the fresh apple cider concentrates its natural sugars and tangy notes, intensifying the taste of your donuts in a way that simply adding plain cider cannot. Be patient with this process – it typically takes about 20 minutes, but the rich, complex flavor it imparts is absolutely worth every minute!
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Always ensure your egg and buttermilk are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature ingredients emulsify much better with other components of the batter, leading to a smoother, more homogenous mixture. This, in turn, contributes to a more consistent, tender crumb and an overall lighter texture in your finished donuts.
- Measure Flour Accurately: Over-measuring flour is a very common baking mistake that can easily lead to dry, dense, and tough donuts. To ensure accuracy, use the “spoon and level” method: gently spoon the all-purpose flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with the back of a straight edge (like a knife or a bench scraper), rather than scooping directly from the bag, which compacts the flour.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Once you’ve added the wet and dry ingredients together, mix the batter just until combined. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and even desirable; don’t strive for a perfectly smooth batter. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough, chewy donuts that lack the delicate, cakey texture we’re aiming for.
- Coat While Warm for Best Adhesion: For the most irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating, it’s essential to coat the donuts shortly after they come out of the oven, while they are still warm to the touch. The residual heat from the warm donut helps the melted butter stick better, and in turn, allows the cinnamon-sugar mixture to adhere beautifully and evenly, creating that delightful, slightly crunchy, and sweet exterior.
- Do NOT Overfill Donut Cavities: This is a crucial warning to prevent disappointment! Only fill each donut cavity approximately halfway with batter. If you overfill them, the batter will expand and overflow during baking, causing them to lose their characteristic donut shape and potentially stick to the pan. You’ll end up with oddly shaped “donut blobs” instead of perfectly formed rings.
- Prep Ahead for Ultimate Convenience: To make your morning baking routine smoother and save valuable time, you can easily reduce the apple cider the night before. Once reduced to ½ cup, let it cool completely, then cover it tightly and refrigerate. Bring it back to room temperature before incorporating it into your donut batter the next day.
- Spice It Your Way (Substitution Option): If you prefer a simpler spice blend or don’t have all the individual spices on hand, you can substitute the combined individual spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves) with 1 teaspoon of a good quality apple pie spice blend. This offers a convenient shortcut without compromising on that beloved fall flavor profile.
- Create Donut Holes or Mini Muffins: No donut pan? No problem! Or perhaps you’re just craving a delightful bite-sized treat? You can easily adapt this recipe to make delicious donut holes or mini muffins. Simply use a mini muffin pan, filling each cup about halfway with the batter. Bake them at 350ºF (175ºC) for a shorter duration of 7-9 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture as described for the full-sized donuts.
- Easy Cleanup with Parchment Paper: To significantly simplify your post-baking cleanup, especially after the coating step, place your wire rack over a baking sheet that has been generously lined with parchment paper. This clever trick will effectively catch any excess melted butter and runaway cinnamon sugar, preventing it from making a mess on your countertop.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your baked apple cider donut baking experience is a success!
While you technically can use apple juice in a pinch, we wholeheartedly recommend sticking with fresh apple cider for the best possible flavor. The flavor profile of apple cider is notably deeper, more complex, and possesses a distinct tangy quality that apple juice typically lacks. Apple juice is essentially filtered apple cider, meaning it’s clearer, often sweeter, but without the rich, nuanced apple notes that make these specific donuts truly shine and evoke that authentic fall taste. For the most genuine and delightful “fall in every bite” experience, fresh apple cider is undoubtedly superior.
To maintain the delicious freshness and tender texture of your baked apple cider donuts, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh for up to 2 days. While these donuts are undeniably best enjoyed on the very day they are baked, they will still be incredibly tasty the following day. If they seem to have lost a bit of their initial softness, a quick reheat for 10-15 seconds in the microwave can work wonders to revive their tenderness and warmth, making them feel freshly baked again.
Absolutely! These baked apple cider donuts freeze exceptionally well, whether they’ve been coated with cinnamon sugar or left plain. To freeze them effectively, ensure they are completely cooled to room temperature first. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they are solid (this usually takes about 1-2 hours). Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. They can be safely frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply transfer them to the refrigerator overnight, or place them on your kitchen counter for a few hours. For a warm and comforting treat, microwave individual donuts for just 15-20 seconds.
For this baked apple cider donut recipe, a standard non-stick donut pan with 6 cavities is ideal and works best. These pans are readily available at most kitchen supply stores, larger supermarkets, or online retailers. To ensure your donuts release easily and maintain their perfect shape, it’s crucial to generously grease the pan with a good quality non-stick baking spray (preferably one that contains flour), as detailed in the recipe steps.
Yes, it is possible to make these donuts gluten-free, although the texture might vary slightly. You can experiment with substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. It’s important to choose a blend that specifically states it contains xanthan gum, as this ingredient helps mimic the elasticity and structure that gluten provides. Follow the same mixing and baking instructions as outlined in the recipe, and enjoy your gluten-free fall treat!
More Apple Cider Recipes to Savor this Season
If you’re as enamored with the delightful flavor of apple cider as we are, you’ll absolutely love exploring these other delicious and comforting recipes that celebrate this iconic fall ingredient:
Best Apple Cider Donuts (with boiled cider)
Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake
Apple Cider Pound Cake
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Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
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Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups Apple cider fresh
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Ground allspice
- 1/8 tsp Ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 large Egg room temperature
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk room temperature (or whole milk)
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 6 tbsp Unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp Ground allspice
Instructions
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple cider to a simmer. Simmer and reduce it to 1/2 cup. This will take about 20 minutes. Check on it often, it will reduce quickly towards the end. Set aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.1 1/2 cups Apple cider
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Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray the donut pans with non-stick baking spray that contains flour.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and kosher salt until combined.2 cups All-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp Baking powder, 1 tsp Baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp Ground allspice, 1/8 tsp Ground cloves, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
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In a large bowl, whisk the butter, egg, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla extract together until well combined. Add the dry ingredients and reduced apple cider, whisk just until combined.2 tbsp Unsalted butter, 1 large Egg, 1/2 cup Buttermilk, 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup Dark brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
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Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling only halfway. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack over a baking sheet.
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Melt the butter in a small bowl. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Brush the entire donut with melted butter, then coat the donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat with the remaining donuts.6 tbsp Unsalted butter, 1 cup Granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp Ground allspice
Notes
- Alternatively, for easier and cleaner filling, you can place the batter in a large ziplock bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the donuts directly into the pan cavities.
- You can dunk the donuts quickly in the melted butter instead of brushing it on, if desired. However, be mindful not to let them soak up too much butter, as this can make them excessively greasy. A swift, even dip is all that’s needed to prepare them for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Store covered tightly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their freshness and tender texture. For longer preservation, these donuts can be frozen for up to 2 months by following the comprehensive freezing instructions provided in the FAQ section above.
Nutrition
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Fall Baking Tradition Awaits
These exquisite baked apple cider donuts are far more than just a simple recipe; they are a delightful invitation to fully embrace and savor the comforting warmth and rich flavors of the glorious fall season. With their incredibly tender, perfectly cakey texture, deeply infused apple and spice essence, and that utterly delightful cinnamon-sugar crunch, these homemade treats promise a comforting and satisfying experience that effortlessly rivals any bakery-bought delight. Being both easy to make and universally loved, these wholesome baked donuts are absolutely perfect for kicking off a cozy breakfast, elevating a festive brunch gathering, or simply for enjoying a sweet moment of peace and indulgence by yourself. So, gather your seasonal ingredients, preheat your oven with anticipation, and prepare to fill your entire home with the irresistible and enchanting aroma of autumn. Happy baking, and get ready to create lasting, delicious memories!