Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts: Your Ultimate Fall Treat Recipe
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with this incredibly easy recipe for homemade baked apple cider donuts. Crafted from simple ingredients and ready in just about 30 minutes, these delightful treats are perfectly coated in a warm, spiced cinnamon sugar. Each bite offers a wonderfully soft, moist, and tender texture, reminiscent of a comforting cake. Forget the fuss of deep-frying; these baked beauties capture all the quintessential fall charm with none of the extra oil, making them a healthier and equally delicious option for your breakfast table or dessert platter.
There’s truly nothing quite like homemade donuts. The aroma of freshly baked goods filling your kitchen is an experience in itself, and the taste is unparalleled. Once you try crafting your own, you’ll find it hard to go back to store-bought varieties. These baked apple cider donuts are no exception, offering a burst of fall flavor that’s both comforting and invigorating. If you’re a fan of autumn-inspired treats, be sure to explore my Easy Apple Fritters and these delightful Easy Pumpkin Donuts (With Cake Mix). For those who love a classic, don’t miss out on these Homemade Jelly Doughnuts (Sufganiyot). These apple cider cake donuts are perfect for enjoying throughout the fall season, during Thanksgiving gatherings, or simply as a special breakfast or dessert. They also provide an excellent solution for using up that extra apple cider or a surplus of crisp fall apples you might have on hand.
This recipe transforms the essence of autumn apples into a moist, tender, and perfectly spiced donut. The magic lies in reducing the apple cider to concentrate its flavor, ensuring every bite delivers an authentic apple punch. Paired with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, these donuts become an irresistible centerpiece for any fall celebration or a simple, cozy morning treat. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these easy-to-make, utterly delicious baked apple cider donuts!
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Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Creating truly outstanding homemade apple cider donuts starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed look at the core components that make these donuts so special:
- Apple Cider: This is undoubtedly the star of the show. Using reduced apple cider is crucial for achieving that deep, unmistakable apple flavor profile. Reducing the cider concentrates its natural sugars and flavors, preventing the donuts from becoming watery and ensuring every bite is bursting with autumn goodness.
- Eggs: Just one large, room-temperature egg is all you need. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more consistent, tender texture in your baked goods.
- Sugars – Granulated and Brown: This recipe calls for a balanced blend of both granulated and brown sugar. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps with browning, while brown sugar adds a richer, molasses-like flavor and contributes to the moistness and chewy texture of the donuts. Using both creates a more complex and appealing sweetness.
- Butter: Unsalted, melted butter is preferred. Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt content in your recipe. Melted butter incorporates easily into the batter, ensuring even distribution and contributing to the donuts’ rich flavor and tender crumb.
- Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk works best. The fat content in whole or 2% milk adds moisture, richness, and contributes to the soft, cake-like structure of the donuts. Avoid using skim milk as it can result in a drier texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract is essential for its warm, aromatic notes. Vanilla beautifully complements the apple cider and the blend of spices, adding depth and a comforting fragrance to the overall flavor profile.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour provides the fundamental structure for your donuts. All-purpose flour is versatile and creates the ideal base for forming the donut shape and achieving that desired cake-like texture.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both baking powder and baking soda are vital leavening agents in this recipe. They work together to create the perfect rise and airy texture in the donuts, ensuring they are light and fluffy, not dense. Do not omit or substitute one for the other, as they react differently and are necessary for the optimal chemical leavening.
- Spices – Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cardamom: This trio of warm spices is what truly brings out the “spiced” in “spiced apple cider donuts.” Cinnamon is classic, nutmeg adds a hint of earthy sweetness, and cardamom introduces a fragrant, slightly citrusy note, elevating the flavor beyond just apple. You can adjust the quantities to suit your personal preference.
Creative Variations to Elevate Your Apple Cider Donuts
While these baked apple cider donuts are perfect as is, they also lend themselves beautifully to customization. Here are several delicious variations to experiment with, allowing you to tailor them to your taste or occasion:
- Diverse Topping Options: Beyond the classic spiced cinnamon sugar, consider other delectable coatings. A simple Vanilla Powdered Sugar Glaze adds a sweet sheen. Drizzling melted chocolate or a rich Chocolate Ganache offers an indulgent twist. A dusting of plain powdered sugar is elegantly simple, or you can stick with a customized cinnamon sugar blend.
- Bite-Sized Donut Holes: For a fun, pop-able treat, use a donut hole pan instead of a traditional donut pan. These mini versions are perfect for parties, kids’ snacks, or when you just want a small bite of sweetness.
- Decadent Dipping Sauces: Elevate the serving experience by offering a variety of dipping sauces. A warm bowl of Homemade Caramel Sauce or a rich Homemade Dulce De Leche pairs wonderfully with the apple flavor. For chocolate lovers, Chocolate Fondue is always a hit, and light, fluffy Homemade Whipped Cream provides a delicate contrast.
- Coconut Oil for a Tropical Hint: Substitute the unsalted butter with coconut oil for a subtle, fragrant coconut flavor that adds an interesting depth to the donuts. Ensure the coconut oil is melted before incorporating it into the wet ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Alternative: Easily make these donuts gluten-free by swapping out the all-purpose flour for a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are also gluten-free.
- Crunchy Nut Additions: Fold in finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or peanuts into the batter for an added textural dimension and nutty flavor. This provides a delightful crunch against the soft donut.
- Spice Profile Customization: Don’t hesitate to adjust the amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to suit your personal preference. Love a strong cinnamon kick? Add a little more! Prefer a milder spice blend? Reduce the quantities slightly.
- Pure Cinnamon Sugar Coating: If you’re a purist, instead of the full spiced sugar mixture, simply coat the donuts in a generous mixture of only granulated sugar and cinnamon for a classic, comforting finish.
- Donut Muffins (No Donut Pan? No Problem!): If you don’t own a donut pan, don’t let that stop you! Simply pour the batter into a lined muffin tin. You’ll end up with delicious apple cider muffins that boast the same incredible flavor and cake-like texture, just in a different shape. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How to Make Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts from Scratch
Making these delicious baked apple cider donuts is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking!
1. Reduce the Apple Cider: Begin by pouring the specified amount of apple cider into a large nonstick pot or saucepan. Place it over medium-high heat and allow it to simmer gently without a lid. This crucial step permits the excess liquid to evaporate, leaving you with a thick, concentrated apple cider syrup. This reduction process intensifies the apple flavor significantly, ensuring it shines through in your finished donuts. Once reduced, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool completely to room temperature. This prevents it from cooking your eggs in the next step.
2. Prepare the Wet Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine your wet ingredients. Add the room-temperature egg, melted unsalted butter, milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Ensure there are no lumps of sugar, creating a homogeneous base for your donut batter.
3. Whisk Dry Ingredients Separately: In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all your dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, and cardamom powder. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these ingredients, ensuring that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This prevents pockets of unmixed ingredients in your final batter.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently add the dry flour mixture to the wet sugar and egg mixture. At this stage, also pour in the cooled, reduced apple cider syrup. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix these ingredients until they are just combined. It’s crucial not to over-mix the batter, as this can lead to tough, dense donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and often preferred for a tender crumb.
5. Final Batter Check: Give the batter one last gentle mix to ensure everything is incorporated without overworking it. The batter should be thick but pourable. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter to prevent sticking.
6. Pipe and Bake: For neat and uniformly shaped donuts, transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a sturdy Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off). Pipe the batter evenly into the greased donut pan cavities, filling each about halfway or two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked. The donuts should be lightly golden and springy to the touch.
7. Butter Bath for Coating: While the donuts are cooling slightly (but still warm), prepare your spiced sugar coating. In a small, wide bowl, melt the unsalted butter for the coating. Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, gently dip each donut into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. The butter acts as the adhesive for the sugar mixture.
8. Coat in Spiced Sugar: In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, and cardamom powder for the topping. After dipping each donut in melted butter, immediately transfer it to this spiced sugar mixture. Roll the donut gently until it’s completely covered with the fragrant coating. The butter will help the sugar adhere beautifully. Serve your freshly coated, warm apple cider donuts immediately for the best taste and texture. Enjoy!
Expert Tips and Techniques for Perfect Apple Cider Donuts
Achieving bakery-quality baked apple cider donuts at home is simpler than you think, especially with these helpful tips and techniques:
- Don’t Skip Reducing the Apple Cider: This is arguably the most critical step for a truly flavorful donut. You absolutely MUST reduce the 1.5 cups of apple cider down to about ⅓ cup until it forms a thick, syrupy consistency. This process concentrates the apple flavor significantly. If you don’t reduce it, the natural apple flavor in regular cider is very diluted and will barely be noticeable in your baked goods, resulting in bland donuts. The reduction ensures a powerful apple punch in every bite.
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought Apple Cider: Both homemade apple cider and good quality store-bought apple cider can be used for this recipe. The key is the reduction process, which will enhance the flavor of either option.
- Ensure Apple Cider Syrup is Cool: After reducing, it’s vital to allow the apple cider syrup to cool down completely, or at least to a slightly warm, room temperature, before incorporating it into your batter. Adding hot syrup to the wet ingredients will “cook” the egg, leading to an undesirable texture in your donuts. Patience here ensures a smooth, well-mixed batter.
- Opt for Unsalted Butter: Always use unsalted butter in your baking unless specified otherwise. This allows you to control the exact amount of salt in the recipe, preventing your donuts from becoming overly salty and ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Avoid Over-Mixing the Batter: This is a golden rule in baking, especially for cakes and muffins, which these donuts resemble. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough, dry, and chewy donuts instead of the desired soft and tender cake-like texture. Mix only until the dry and wet ingredients are just combined, even if there are a few small lumps remaining.
- Customize Your Spices: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom offers a fantastic warm and complex flavor. Feel free to adjust the quantities of each spice in both the donut batter and the spiced sugar topping to suit your personal preferences. You can use all three, just one, or a duo – whatever makes your taste buds happy!
- Use Both Granulated and Brown Sugar in Batter: Each type of sugar plays a distinct role. Granulated sugar provides crispness and sweetness, while brown sugar adds moisture, a subtle caramel note, and a chewier texture. Do not omit one or substitute one for the other entirely, as this will alter the flavor and texture of your donuts.
- Both Baking Powder and Baking Soda are Necessary: These two leavening agents are not interchangeable in this recipe. Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like the apple cider reduction and brown sugar), while baking powder provides an additional lift. Using both ensures the donuts rise beautifully and achieve that light, airy cake-like consistency.
- Thoroughly Grease Your Donut Pan: To prevent your freshly baked donuts from sticking and ensure they release cleanly from the pan, liberally grease each cavity. Use a non-stick cooking spray or apply a thin, even coating of melted butter with a pastry brush. This small step saves a lot of frustration!
- Piping Bag for Neatness: For the cleanest and most evenly filled donut cavities, transfer your batter into a large piping bag (or a sturdy freezer bag with a corner snipped off). This allows for precise distribution and avoids messy spills.
- Cooling Before Coating: Allow the donuts to cool for about 5 minutes in the pan before carefully removing them to a wire rack. They should still be warm when you coat them in butter and spiced sugar, as this helps the butter melt and the sugar adhere best.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Proper storage ensures your delicious baked apple cider donuts remain fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible. Here’s how to store them and even prepare them in advance:
- Room Temperature Storage: For short-term enjoyment, these donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before placing them in the container to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Refrigeration: To extend their freshness slightly, place your apple cider donuts in a sealed, airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This is particularly useful in warmer climates or if you want to enjoy them over a few days.
- Freezing for Longer Preservation: If you want to keep a batch for a later date, freeze the uncoated donuts. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. To prevent them from sticking together, I recommend placing a piece of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer of donuts. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature, then coat them in melted butter and spiced sugar, and reheat slightly if desired.
- Make Ahead Option: These donuts are an excellent make-ahead treat. You can bake them up to 2 days in advance if stored at room temperature, or up to 3 days if kept in a sealed container in the fridge. Preparing them ahead of time makes them perfect for busy mornings or unexpected guests.
- Reheating for Freshness: To enjoy your stored donuts warm and soft again, simply pop them into the microwave for about 10-15 seconds per donut. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry them out. They’ll taste almost as good as fresh out of the oven!
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Here are some common questions and helpful answers regarding this easy baked apple cider donut recipe:
Unlike traditional fried donuts, which are typically made with yeast and have a more bread-like, chewy texture, these baked apple cider donuts boast a delightful muffin-like or cake-like consistency. They are incredibly soft, moist, and tender, dissolving wonderfully in your mouth. Each donut is packed with a strong, concentrated apple cider flavor, beautifully complemented by the warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, making them a true taste of autumn.
The primary difference lies in their preparation method and resulting texture. Baked apple cider donuts are prepared in an oven, giving them a lighter, cake-like texture, similar to a moist muffin. Regular donuts, on the other hand, are typically deep-fried, which gives them a chewier, often bread-like interior and a crispy exterior. While both are delicious, the baked version offers a lighter, less greasy alternative with a distinct cakey crumb and a more pronounced flavor from the concentrated apple cider.
To reduce apple cider into a thick, flavorful syrup, pour 1.5 cups of apple cider into a nonstick saucepan. Cook it over medium-high heat, without a lid, allowing the excess water to evaporate. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. This process usually takes about 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to approximately ⅓ cup and has a noticeably thicker, syrupy consistency. The concentrated syrup will be much richer in apple flavor, which is essential for these donuts.
No donut pan? No problem at all! You can easily make delicious apple cider “doughnut muffins” using a standard cupcake or muffin pan. The flavor will be exactly the same, only the shape will differ. Simply line your muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well, then fill the cavities about two-thirds full with the donut batter. Bake them at 350 degrees F (175°C) for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. This recipe should yield about 10 muffins.
More Irresistible Apple Desserts to Try
- Easy Apple Crumble Pie
- Easy Apple Caramel Pie
- Homemade Apple Pie
- Apple Pie Cake
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling
- Easy Apple Turnover (With Puff Pastry)
- Chocolate Caramel Apples
- Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake
- Easy Apple Cake (With Cake Mix)
- Mini Apple Strudels
Recipe
Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Cake)
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Apple cider (for reduction)
- 1 Large Egg (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup Granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup Brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (melted, or melted coconut oil)
- ½ cup Milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg powder
- ⅛ teaspoon Cardamom powder
Spiced Sugar Topping
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon Cardamom powder
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter (melted, for coating)
Instructions
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Pour 1.5 cups of apple cider into a nonstick saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat without a lid until the cider reduces to approximately ⅓ cup, forming a thick, concentrated syrup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. This step is crucial for intense apple flavor.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the large room-temperature egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (or coconut oil), milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
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In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, and cardamom powder until thoroughly combined.
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Add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, along with the cooled, reduced apple cider syrup. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter, as this can make the donuts tough.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan. For easier and neater filling, pour the batter into a piping bag (or a ziptop bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about halfway.
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Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean and the donuts are lightly golden.
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Allow the baked donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes at room temperature, then carefully remove them from the pan and place them on a wire rack.
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While the donuts are cooling slightly, prepare the spiced sugar topping. In a wide, shallow bowl, mix together 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder, and ½ teaspoon cardamom powder. In another small bowl, melt ½ cup unsalted butter for coating.
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Take each warm donut, brush it generously with the melted butter, ensuring all sides are coated. Immediately roll the buttered donut in the spiced sugar mixture until it is fully coated. Repeat for all donuts.
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Serve your homemade baked apple cider donuts immediately and savor the delicious taste of fall!
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Notes
- Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like allspice or ginger for a slightly different flavor profile in your donuts.
- Remember, reducing the apple cider to a thick syrup is an absolutely essential step for this recipe to deliver a rich, authentic apple flavor. Do not skip it!
- The cooled apple cider syrup must be at room temperature before being added to the batter. If it’s still hot, it will prematurely cook the eggs, leading to a lumpy batter and a compromised texture.
- While the spiced sugar topping is incredibly delicious, you can also opt for a simple coating of plain granulated sugar, powdered sugar, or even a luscious vanilla glaze for variety.
- For more detailed insights and creative ideas, please refer to the additional tips and variations sections provided above in the article.
- These baked apple cider donuts taste best when served warm, immediately after coating. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for slightly longer, and they can be easily reheated in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven experience.
Recipe
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.