Description
These easy baked apple cider donuts are a cozy fall breakfast treat, bursting with spiced apple flavor and finished with a classic cinnamon-sugar coating. Baked, not fried, they’re lighter but still cake-like and perfect for chilly mornings or festive brunches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to 1/2 cup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk, room temperature (whole, 2%, or dairy-free)
- For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with oil or nonstick spray.
- Pour 1 cup apple cider into a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 10–12 minutes). Let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and the cooled reduced apple cider.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops spring back when pressed and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack.
- Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Melt 4 tablespoons butter separately.
- Brush each donut with melted butter, then dip and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat all sides.
- Serve warm for best flavor. Cool completely before storing if saving for later.
Notes
Reduce the apple cider for bold flavor—don’t skip this step. Use room temperature eggs and milk for a smoother batter. Don’t overmix to keep donuts light. Roll donuts in cinnamon-sugar while still warm for best coating. For gluten-free or vegan versions, use appropriate substitutes as described in the blog.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cider donuts, baked donuts, fall breakfast, cinnamon sugar, easy donut recipe, autumn, brunch, apple recipes