Apple Cider Donuts

Posted by by Sara 4 months Ago 78 Views

If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like these Apple Cider Donuts—warm, cozy, cinnamon-sugary, and unbelievably soft. Whether you’re baking for a family breakfast, a weekend treat, or a holiday gathering, these donuts deliver that classic orchard-style flavor right from your kitchen. They’re quick, easy, and made with real apple cider reduced for the BEST apple punch in every bite.

🍎 Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Donuts

  • True apple flavor thanks to boiled-down cider
  • Baked, not fried, but still fluffy and moist
  • Perfect fall spices that smell incredible the moment they hit the oven
  • Ready in 25 minutes — yes, really!
  • Cozy treat for breakfast, snacks, or gifting

🍏 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Donuts

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp melted butter

🍁 How to Make Apple Cider Donuts

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer until it reduces to 1/3 cup. This concentrates the apple flavor and makes the donuts taste like real cider. Cool slightly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

  • flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk:

  • egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and the reduced apple cider.

Step 4: Combine & Fill

Gently mix dry into wet until just combined. Don’t overmix or the donuts will be dense. Pipe or spoon the batter into greased donut molds.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until the donuts spring back when touched.

Step 6: Cinnamon Sugar Magic

Dip warm donuts in melted butter, then roll generously in cinnamon sugar.
This step = pure fall perfection.

🍂 Serving Ideas

  • Serve warm with hot coffee
  • Drizzle with caramel
  • Add a touch of powdered sugar
  • Dip in maple glaze for an extra treat

🍎 Storage & Reheating

  • Store at room temperature up to 2 days
  • Refrigerate up to 5 days
  • Freeze up to 2 months
    Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to make them soft again.
Apple Cider Donuts
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Apple Cider Donuts

Recipe by Sara
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup apple cider

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

  • Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

  • 4 tbsp melted butter

Directions

  • Reduce the cider:
  • In a saucepan, simmer the apple cider until it reduces to about 1/4 cup. Cool completely.
  • Mix dry ingredients:
  • In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Mix wet ingredients:
  • In another bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, buttermilk, and the reduced cider.
  • Combine:
  • Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Fill donut pan:
  • Pipe or spoon the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
  • Bake:
  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the donuts spring back when touched.
  • Coat:
  • Brush warm donuts with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.