Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

This fall-inspired Baked Apple Cider Donuts recipe transforms your kitchen into a cozy bakery with the warm, spiced aroma of apple and cinnamon. Made with concentrated apple cider and a perfect blend of seasonal spices, these cake-like donuts are incredibly tender on the inside with a sweet, spiced sugar coating that creates an irresistible texture contrast. Skip the deep fryer but keep all the flavor with these oven-baked treats that come together in about an hour!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Deep Frying Required: All the deliciousness of donuts without the mess and hassle of hot oil. These bake up perfectly in a standard donut pan.
• Concentrated Apple Flavor: Reducing the apple cider intensifies its flavor, infusing every bite with authentic apple goodness that store-bought donuts simply can’t match.
• Perfectly Spiced: The combination of cinnamon and apple pie spice creates that quintessential fall flavor that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or hot cider.
• Impressive Yet Simple: These donuts look and taste like they came from a specialty bakery, but the process is surprisingly straightforward and forgiving.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Apple Cider: The star ingredient that gets reduced down to concentrate its flavor. Don’t substitute apple juice—real cider has a more robust flavor profile that makes these donuts special.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for your donuts. Make sure to measure correctly by spooning and leveling for the perfect texture.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: The dynamic duo that gives these donuts their rise and tender crumb.
• Cinnamon & Apple Pie Spice: These warm spices are essential for both the batter and coating, creating that signature fall flavor everyone craves.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create that cake-like texture we’re looking for in baked donuts.
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle molasses note, while granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create that classic donut exterior.
• Milk: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb. Any type works well here, making this recipe adaptable to what you have on hand.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering the apple.
• Egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the structure of the donuts.

Variations

Looking to put your own spin on these apple cider donuts? Try these creative variations:

• Maple Glaze: Instead of the cinnamon-sugar coating, dip cooled donuts in a glaze made from maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk.
• Caramel Drizzle: After coating in cinnamon sugar, drizzle with warm caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
• Chai Spice: Replace the apple pie spice with chai spice for a unique flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the apple.
• Cider Cream Cheese Filling: Use a piping bag to fill cooled donuts with a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of reduced apple cider.

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider

In a small saucepan over low heat, simmer the apple cider, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/2 cup. This typically takes about 20 minutes, but start checking at 10-minute intervals. The reduction concentrates the flavor, creating an intense apple taste. Once reduced, set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Thoroughly spray your donut pan with non-stick spray, making sure to coat the center post as well to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt until well combined. This even distribution ensures consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The mixture should be well blended with no sugar lumps.

Step 5: Make the Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until you have a smooth, slightly thick batter. Be careful not to overmix—just until no dry flour remains.

Step 6: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about halfway. For the neatest results, transfer the batter to a large zip-top bag, snip off a corner, and pipe the batter into the cavities for perfect, even donuts.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-11 minutes until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test for doneness, gently press the top of a donut—if it springs back, they’re ready. Let cool in the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: Prepare the Topping

While the donuts are cooling, mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in a separate bowl.

Step 9: Coat the Donuts

When the donuts are cool enough to handle but still warm, dunk each side in the melted butter, then generously coat in the spiced sugar mixture. The warm donuts will help the coating stick better.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Reduce Cider in Advance: You can reduce the apple cider a day ahead and refrigerate it to save time on baking day.
• Don’t Overfill: Filling the donut cavities more than halfway will cause them to rise too much and lose their hole in the center.
• Work Quickly When Coating: The warm donuts will help the butter and sugar mixture adhere better, so coat them while they’re still slightly warm.
• Use a Cooling Rack: After coating, place the donuts on a cooling rack rather than a plate to maintain their texture all around.
• Quality Matters: Use fresh spices and good quality apple cider for the most flavorful donuts. If your spices have been sitting in the cabinet for years, it’s time for an upgrade!

How to Serve

These apple cider donuts are versatile enough to serve in multiple settings:

Breakfast Treat

Serve alongside a mug of hot coffee, tea, or warm apple cider for a cozy autumn breakfast. They’re perfect for weekend mornings when you have a little extra time to savor the moment.

Dessert Pairing

For an elevated dessert, serve warm donuts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The contrast of warm donut and cold ice cream is absolutely divine.

Fall Gatherings

These donuts make a perfect addition to a fall brunch spread or as part of a dessert table at Halloween or Thanksgiving gatherings. Arrange them on a platter with some decorative fall leaves for a festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but a quick 10-second warm-up in the microwave can revive day-old donuts nicely.

Freezing

These donuts freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. You can freeze them either before or after applying the coating.

Reheating

Thaw frozen donuts overnight in the refrigerator, then warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. If you froze them without coating, warm them first, then dip in butter and cinnamon sugar mixture for that fresh-made taste.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
While apple juice will work in a pinch, it won’t provide the same depth of flavor as apple cider. Cider is less filtered and contains more of the natural apple solids, giving these donuts their distinctive taste. If you must use juice, look for unfiltered apple juice for the closest substitute.

I don’t have apple pie spice. What can I use instead?
You can easily make your own apple pie spice by combining 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom, and a pinch of ground allspice. This blend captures the essence of apple pie spice and works perfectly in this recipe.

Can I make these without a donut pan?
Absolutely! You can make these as donut muffins in a standard muffin tin. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. You’ll get about 10-12 muffins. For mini donuts, use a mini muffin tin and bake for about 8-9 minutes.

Why do I need to reduce the apple cider?
Reducing the cider concentrates its flavor significantly, giving the donuts a more pronounced apple taste. Without this step, the apple flavor would be much milder and might get lost among the spices. The few extra minutes this step takes is well worth the flavor payoff!

Final Thoughts

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts capture everything wonderful about fall baking—warm spices, concentrated apple flavor, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating that’s impossible to resist. What makes them truly special is how they manage to feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time, reminiscent of apple orchard treats but made in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether enjoyed with your morning coffee or as an afternoon pick-me-up, they’re sure to become a seasonal tradition you’ll look forward to year after year.

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