Soft and Spiced Apple Cider Donuts Coated with Cinnamon Sugar, Especially in the fall, the warm, comforting tastes of apple cider donuts have a certain kind of charm. These handmade Apple Cider Donuts are soft, fluffy, spiced apple cider-infused, then covered with buttery cinnamon sugar for the best pleasure.
Even more excellent? No need for fried food! These baked apple cider donuts come together in thirty minutes, perfect for a quick breakfast, midday snack, or leisurely weekend baking activity.
So, grab a cup of hot apple cider and let’s dive into the delicious world of apple cider donuts!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Baked, Not Fried: A more subdued interpretation of traditional apple cider donuts!
✔ Perfectly Spiced & Fluffy : Use cinnamon, nutmeg, and less apple cider for maximum flavor.
✔ Quick & Easy; Just mix, bake, and coat; no yeast or fried foods!
✔ Tastes Like Autumn in Every Bite : The warm, cozy apple cider taste is seductive. Perfect for autumn events, breakfast, or a quiet weekend treat.
Ingredients
You will need the following to create these sweet, spicy, crispy air fryer apples:
For the Donuts
- Apple cider (one cup) is the main component, adding a strong apple taste to the donuts.
- Two cups of all-purpose flour give the dough structure and tenderness.
- Mix 1 tsp baking powder with ½ tsp baking soda for a light and fluffy texture.
- Add that pleasant, cozy spice with cinnamon (1 tsp) and nutmeg (½ tsp).
- Salt (¼ tsp) improves every taste sensation.
- Perfect balance of sweetness and moisture: ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup brown sugar.
- Melted ½ cup unsalted butter gives richness.
- However, buttermilk, half a cup, or full milk keeps the donuts very soft.
- One tsp vanilla extract is a traditional taste booster.
- One big egg bonds everything together.
For the Coating in Cinnamon Sugar
- For the sweet, crunchy coating, ½ cup granulated sugar.
- The ideal warm spice is cinnamon, one teaspoon.
- Three tablespoons of melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick to itself wonderfully.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Making Apple Cider Donuts: Techniques
First Step: Cut the Apple Cider to Maximize Taste
- Sett one cup of apple cider in a small pot on medium heat and boil it. Simmer until reduced to roughly ½ cup; then let it cool.
- This stage accentuates the taste. Hence, your donut taste applies!
Second Step: Prep and Preheat
- Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preheat. Either butter or nonstick spray will grease a donut pan.
Third Step: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a big mixing bowl.
Fourth Step: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Whisk brown and granulated sugar, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, egg, and reduced apple cider (cooled) in another bowl.
Fifth Step: Mix and Fill the Pan
- Stir until just mixed, and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet components; do not overmix!
- About ¾ full, spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity.
Step Six: Bake the Donuts
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the donuts are golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
- After five minutes of cool-down, take off from the pan.
Seventh Step: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
- In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
- Melt butter on each donut; then, roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture till thoroughly covered.
Step Eight: Present and Taste!
- Warm these donuts alongside a cup of tea, coffee, or hot apple cider.
Expert Advice for the Perfect Apple Cider Donuts
✔ Cut the Apple Cider: This accentuates the taste and transforms the donuts to taste fantastic.
✔ Use a Donut Pan : Aids in the creation of exactly formed baked goods.
✔ Keep the Donuts Light and Fluffy by Not Overly Mixing the Batter.
✔ Coat While Warm: Donuts kept warm find the cinnamon sugar most appealing.
✔ Want a Glazed Version? Skive the cinnamon sugar and drizzle with a basic vanilla glaze!
Serving and Pairing
These donuts pair wonderfully with:
- Tea or Coffee: A classic combo for a cozy morning treat.
- Apple Cider: The ideal autumn snack.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Warm donuts with cold ice cream = pure bliss.
- Fall Breakfast Spread: Serve alongside pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
Bonus Idea
Baking these in a little muffin tray will create tiny donut holes!
Make Ahead and Organization and Storage
Saving Leftovers
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
Alternatively, refrigerate for up to five days (warm before serving!).
Halting
Store uncoated donuts for no more than two months frozen.
Thaw, brush melted butter, then dip with cinnamon sugar when ready to eat.
Reheat
For a fresh from the oven taste, microwave for ten to fifteen seconds!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these possible without a donut pan?
Indeed. Create apple cider donut holes out of a tiny muffin tray.
Are they dairy-free?
True! Use vegan butter, replace buttermilk with almond or oat milk, plus one tsp vinegar.
Which apple cider would be most appropriate?
Use actual, fresh apple cider not apple juice for optimum flavor.
Could I instead cook these donuts?
Although this is a baked donut recipe, substitute a conventional yeast donut recipe if you like to fry them.
Conclusion
The best fall delight is these warm, soft, delicately spiced Apple Cider Donuts topped with lovely cinnamon sugar!
Whether making them for a family gathering, a laid-back weekend breakfast, or just because you love donuts, they will be a hit.
Get some apple cider and start baking; these donuts are begging your name! 🍩🍏✨
😊 Enjoy and happy baking!
Apple Cider Donuts
Equipment
- Donut Pan
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring apple cider to a boil and reduce to about 1/2 cup. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, egg, and cooled reduced apple cider.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the pan.
- For the coating, mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush each donut with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar.
- Serve warm and enjoy!