Tender and moist, these Baked Apple Cider Donuts are dipped in cinnamon-sugar for an easy treat with warm fall flavors in every bite. Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert with a glass of milk or cup of coffee!
Other donuts we love include our Baked Apple Fritters and deep fried Jelly Donuts!
Easy Apple Cider Donuts
If you’ve never made homemade donuts before, this is a great first recipe to try! There’s no yeast involved in this dough, no deep frying, and you don’t need any special skills – just baking staples, some bowls, a whisk, and a donut pan.
This old-fashioned baked apple cider donut recipe is no more difficult to whip up than muffins and makes such a delicious fall breakfast treat. We think starting the morning off with a freshly baked donut just makes the day better right off the bat!
Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
These are homemade donuts without yeast and no deep frying, so they’re made with just a handful of baking staples and, of course, apple cider. Here’s what you’ll need:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Apple cider: Gives that lovely spiced apple flavor to every bite.
- Cake flour: Cake flour makes these donuts lighter and more tender than all-purpose flour.
- Baking powder: The leavening agent that helps the donuts rise.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg: Warm fall spices that enhances the apple cider flavors.
- Milk: Whole milk will produce the most tender baked good. 2% is fine, too.
- Sugar: A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and holds everything together.
- Butter: Unsalted or salted both work depending how salty you want the overall flavor. We prefer unsalted.
- Vanilla Extract: For added flavor.
- For the topping: All you need is sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter for the delicious cinnamon-sugar topping.
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Making these baked apple cider donuts is easy and only requires some bowls, a whisk, and a donut pan. Here’s a brief summary:
(Scroll down to the complete printable recipe card for details.)
- Boil the cider. Boil the cider until it reduces to 1/2 cup.
- Make the donuts. Whisk together the dry ingredients, then the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into a ziploc bag, snip off a corner, and pipe the batter into the pan, so each one is 1/2 full.
- Bake. Bake until donuts are cooked through, then place on a cooling rack.
- Add topping. Combine cinnamon and sugar. Brush the donuts with melted butter on both sides, then dip into the cinnamon mixture.
Tips & FAQs
- Don’t confuse apple cider with apple cider vinegar! Do not use apple cider vinegar or your donuts will taste vinegary and sour.
- What’s the difference between apple cider and apple juice? The two are very similar, with the main difference being that apple juice is filtered and pasteurized, then usually sweetened. Apple cider is perishable while apple juice is usually not.
- Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider? Yes, in a pinch you can substitute apple juice – just be sure to use unsweetened apple juice.
- Do I have to reduce the apple cider down? If you’re trying to speed up the amount of time it takes to make these donuts, you can just use 1/2 cup of apple cider, without boiling it down, however it is highly recommended you don’t skip this step for 2 reasons: 1) it gives a bolder apple flavor to the donuts, and 2) the batter might end up too thin.
- Where do I get a donut pan? They are pretty common at most big box stores now, but you can also get one from Amazon.
Storage & Freezing
- How to store baked donuts. Freshly baked donuts will last for up to 2 days at room temperature. Keep them in a plastic bag or airtight container.
- Can I freeze baked donuts? Yes, allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe bag. These donuts will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm briefly in the microwave. (We recommend freezing them without the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating, and applying that fresh right before serving.)
More Apple Recipes:
- Homemade Applesauce
- {Air Fryer} Apple Hand Pies
- Apple Pie Smoothie
- Easy Apple Cake
- Easy Apple Dumplings
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups cake flour , spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons butter , melted
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring the apple cider up to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the cider to reduce to 1/2 cup; this will take about 10-15 minutes; allow the cider to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat your donut pan with a nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg, in a large mixing bowl. Set it aside.
- Whisk together the milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, butter, vanilla, and cooled apple cider in a medium mixing bowl. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Don't over-mix.
- Transfer the batter to a large ziploc bag and cut off about 1/2 inch of a corner. Pipe the batter into the pan, so each hole is about 1/2 full.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until they are cooked through and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Place the donuts onto a cooling rack.
- Make the topping: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Brush the donuts one at a time with the butter making sure to coat both sides. Dip the donut into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and shake the donut until it's well covered. Repeat this with each donut.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Other Notes
I never deep fry anything, but love donuts so was excited to find this recipe. These were easy and delicious, thank you!