Now that it’s starting to get cool and the leaves have begun to fall, it is just about time for warm, sugary, delicious cinnamon apple cider donuts.  

This beautiful combination of the warmth of cinnamon, the sweetness of apples, and the comforting taste of fresh apple cider will become your new favorite fall treat.

Here’s the scoop on a recipe for baked apple cider donuts that allows for an easy way to enjoy this fall delight in the comfort of your own home!

You no longer need to make a trip to the apple orchard to enjoy these sweet treats.

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These donuts are amazing for autumn mornings or a cozy evening snack. They would even be best enjoyed at your next holiday party!

Because these donuts are baked instead of fried they are a healthier option without compromising their delicious taste. 

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is simple to follow and guarantees a delightful treat.

So, gather your ingredients and get ready to indulge in the perfect balance of flavors with these homemade baked apple cider donuts.  

Here’s what you’ll need to make baked donuts coated in cinnamon sugar and booming with apple and cinnamon flavors. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with butter or non-stick spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, apple cider, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense texture.
5. Grease your donut pan.
6. Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.

Cooking

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. While the donuts are baking, melt the 1/4 cup of butter for the topping in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
8. Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer the donuts to a wire rack.

Serving

Dip the donut into the melted butter, covering both sides of each donut, then coat the donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly covered.

Allow the donuts to cool completely before serving. These donuts are best enjoyed on their own or with a warm cup of apple cider. They can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Your donuts are now ready to be enjoyed deliciously on their own or paired with warm apple cider or hot coffee.  Your homemade cinnamon apple cider donuts will be the best tasty treat for any occasion.

Enhancing the Apple Flavor

Reduce the Apple Cider

If you’re looking to intensify the apple flavor in the donuts, you can reduce the cider before it goes into the donuts.

Simply heat the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is reduced by half. This apple cider reduction will add a rich and robust apple taste to the donuts.

Reducing apple cider involves simmering it until it thickens and concentrates, which intensifies its flavor.

This process helps enhance the natural sweetness and richness of the cider by evaporating some of its water content.

The concentrated apple cider also increases the cider’s viscosity, giving it a more syrupy consistency.

This intensified flavor and texture make it ideal for use in various recipes, such as marinades, sauces, glazes, or even as a topping for desserts.  

But for the best apple cider donut, a reduced cider will boost the flavor and texture combination you will be sure to enjoy.

Add Apple Pie Spice

You can add apple pie spice to the donut batter for an extra boost of apple flavor.

This blend of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, will provide a warm and aromatic taste reminiscent of freshly baked apple pie.

Include Apple Pie Filling

If you want to take your apple cider donuts to the next level, consider including a spoonful of homemade apple pie filling in the center of each donut before baking.

This will create a delightful surprise inside the donuts and enhance the apple flavor even further.

Alternative Methods of Making Apple Cider Donuts At Home

If you’re looking for a good alternative for this recipe, do not worry there are minor changes you can make to still have a delicious outcome.

Using Apple Juice

A great alternative is to use apple juice instead of apple cider. While the flavor may be slightly different, the apple juice will still provide the donuts with a fruity and sweet taste.

Creating Donut Holes

If you don’t have a donut pan, don’t worry! You can still enjoy delicious fall treats by creating apple cider donut holes instead.

Simply roll the donut batter into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Tips for How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts Perfect

Properly Measure Ingredients

Accurate measurements are crucial for baking success. Make sure to use precise measuring cups and spoons to measure your ingredients.

Level off the dry ingredients with a straight edge to ensure the correct ratio for your homemade apple cider donut to be made perfectly.

Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

Be careful not to confuse baking powder with baking soda.

Baking powder is used in this recipe to help the donuts rise, while baking soda is a different ingredient with its distinct purpose in baking.

Using the wrong one can affect the texture and taste of the donuts.  This goes for any baked goods you plan to make in the future!

Getting the Right Apple Cider Flavor

Not all apple ciders are created equal. Look for a high-quality apple cider that is flavorful and has a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

This will ensure that your donuts have a delicious apple taste.

Final Thoughts

This baked apple cider donut recipe is a delicious and fresher alternative to traditional fried donuts.

The recipe combines the flavors of apple cider and cinnamon to create a moist and flavorful treat.

Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning or as a dessert after dinner, these baked donuts are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Try making these donuts for your next fall gathering or holiday party, and watch as your guests rave about their taste and texture.

Overall, this recipe is a winner for all apple cider and donut lovers alike. 

Get the scoop on more recipes like this:

• Halloween Scary Donuts Vampire Teeth Recipe
• Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Fluff Dessert Recipe
• The Best Libbys Pumpkin Roll Recipe
• The Best Thanksgiving Apple Pie Recipe