Apple Cider Donuts
Fall mornings call for something a little special, and these baked apple cider donuts hit the spot. They are soft, spiced just right, and coated in that classic cinnamon sugar that makes every bite feel like autumn. The best part is there is no frying, just mix, bake, and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It is the kind of easy, cozy recipe that makes the season feel extra good.
Apple Cider Donuts
Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a delicious fall treat that combines the flavors of spiced apple cider and cinnamon in a light, cakey donut. Baked to golden perfection and dusted with cinnamon sugar, these donuts are moist, tender, and packed with cozy autumn flavors. Perfect for enjoying with a warm drink on a crisp morning!
Equipment
- donut pans or mini muffin pans
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 large bowl
- 1 whisk
- 16 in or larger pastry bag or gallon ziplock
- baking spray
Ingredients
- 1¾ cup all-purpose flour 225 g
- 1¼ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar 165 g
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 150 g
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup apple cider
Topping
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Gather ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Spray the donut pans with non-stick baking spray or wipe with butter.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar for a few minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet until combined. Slowly add in the apple cider and mix until combined. Pour the batter into a 16in pastry bag (or gallon ziplock).
- Pipe the batter into the baking pans and bake until golden brown about 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool on the counter for 5 minutes.
- To make the topping, melt the butter in a shallow dish. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a spearate shallow dish. Once the donuts can be handled, dip the donuts into the butter and then into the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Enjoy warm with a hot morning beverage.
Notes
Donuts can sit on the counter for 1 – 2 days or stored in the fridge for up to a week.
To save time (and a few calories), you can just top the donuts with the cinnamon sugar before baking instead of dipping in butter after baking.
These make 12 donuts from a donut pan or 48 mini muffins. I like to make 6 donuts and 24 mini muffins.
