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
- 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.
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.
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.
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