Baked Apple Cider Donuts {Cake}

Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a cozy, autumn-inspired treat with a perfect blend of apple and warm spices. These cake-style donuts are baked rather than fried, making them lighter but still rich in flavor.

A quick dip in melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar coating completes their irresistible charm. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these donuts capture the essence of fall in every bite.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Donut pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small saucepan
• Cooling rack

Ingredients Overview

• Apple Cider: The star ingredient that brings the warm, spiced apple flavor.
• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice give these donuts their autumnal aroma.
• Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the batter.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps with the cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Sugar: Both granulated and brown sugar enhance the sweetness and caramel notes.

Ingredients

For the donuts:

• 1 ½ cups apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp melted butter

For the coating:

• 4 tbsp melted butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to ½ cup. Let it cool.
2. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla extract, melted butter, and reduced apple cider.
5. Combine the Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
7. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Let them cool slightly before removing from the pan.
8. Prepare the Coating: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Brush each donut with melted butter, then dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Recipe Tips

• Reducing the cider: Don’t skip this step! It concentrates the apple flavor for a more robust taste.
• No donut pan? Use a muffin tin instead, filling it only halfway to mimic the donut shape.
• Make it ahead: Prepare the batter in advance and bake fresh when needed.

What to Serve With This Recipe

Serve these donuts with a hot cup of coffee, spiced tea, or warm apple cider for the ultimate fall pairing. They’re also delightful with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these donuts? Yes! Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for a freshly baked taste.
Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but the texture will be denser. Consider a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour.
How do I make them gluten-free? Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for similar results.

Serving Suggestions

Baked Apple Cider Donuts are perfect for breakfast, a cozy dessert, or an addition to a brunch spread. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra sweetness, or pair with vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

a cozy, autumn-inspired treat with a perfect blend of apple and warm spices. These cake-style donuts are baked rather than fried, making them lighter but still rich in flavor. A quick dip in melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar coating completes their irresistible charm. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these donuts capture the essence of fall in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Kitchen Equipment Needed:
• Donut pan
• Mixing bowls 
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Small saucepan
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

  

• For the donuts:
• 1 ½ cups apple cider reduced to ½ cup
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

 

• Instructions
• Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to ½ cup. Let it cool.
• Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
• Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Mix the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla extract, melted butter, and reduced apple cider.
• Combine the Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
• Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Let them cool slightly before removing from the pan.
• Prepare the Coating: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Brush each donut with melted butter, then dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
• Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Recipe Tips
• Reducing the cider: Don’t skip this step! It concentrates the apple flavor for a more robust taste.
• No donut pan? Use a muffin tin instead, filling it only halfway to mimic the donut shape.
• Make it ahead: Prepare the batter in advance and bake fresh when needed.
• What to Serve With This Recipe
• Serve these donuts with a hot cup of coffee, spiced tea, or warm apple cider for the ultimate fall pairing. They’re also delightful with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Can I freeze these donuts? Yes! Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for a freshly baked taste.
• Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but the texture will be denser. Consider a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour.
• How do I make them gluten-free? Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for similar results.
• Serving Suggestions
• Baked Apple Cider Donuts are perfect for breakfast, a cozy dessert, or an addition to a brunch spread. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra sweetness, or pair with vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.