Fall is a season filled with cozy flavors, crisp air, and warm kitchen aromas. Among the best seasonal treats, baked apple cider donuts hold a special place. These donuts combine the comforting taste of apple cider with the sweetness of cinnamon and sugar, making them the ultimate autumn indulgence. Unlike fried donuts, this recipe is baked, which means less mess and a slightly lighter treat you can enjoy without guilt.
Whether you’re planning a fall brunch, hosting a harvest gathering, or simply craving a homemade snack with a cup of coffee or cider, these donuts are a delicious choice. Not only are they easy to make, but they also bring the essence of apple orchards right into your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless donut recipes out there, but baked apple cider donuts are something truly special. Here’s why you’ll adore this recipe:
Seasonal Flavor Explosion: Reduced apple cider packs these donuts with rich, fruity flavor enhanced by warm spices.
Baked, Not Fried: A healthier twist on the traditional donut with the same indulgent taste.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour with simple steps and basic ingredients.
Kid-Friendly: Great to make with children—they’ll love coating them in cinnamon sugar.
Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or even a sweet snack after apple picking.
If you’ve never tried baking donuts before, this recipe is a fantastic starting point—easy enough for beginners but tasty enough to impress anyone.
Ingredients
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cup apple cider (reduced to intensify flavor)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating:
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
This combination creates donuts that are moist, tender, and bursting with warm fall flavors.
Directions
Making baked apple cider donuts is simple and rewarding:
Reduce the Apple Cider
Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup (15–20 minutes).
Allow to cool completely before using.
Prepare the Batter
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease donut pans with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugars, melted butter, vanilla, and cooled apple cider reduction.
Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk until combined—don’t overmix.
Bake the Donuts
Fill each donut cavity about ¾ full using a spoon or piping bag.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Dip each donut in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Now you’ve got warm, fragrant baked apple cider donuts ready to enjoy!
Servings and Pairing
This recipe yields 12 donuts, depending on the size of your pan.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair with a hot cup of apple cider, coffee, or chai latte.
Serve as part of a fall brunch spread with pumpkin bread and muffins.
Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Wrap in parchment and tie with twine for a charming homemade gift.
These donuts are not only delicious but also versatile enough for any fall occasion.
Variations
Want to change things up? Here are some fun twists:
Glazed Donuts: Instead of cinnamon sugar, dip cooled donuts in an apple cider glaze made with powdered sugar and cider.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts: Add ½ cup pumpkin puree and increase spices for a pumpkin-flavored version.
Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Drizzle with melted chocolate or add chocolate chips to the batter.
Mini Donuts or Muffins: Use a mini donut pan or muffin tin for bite-sized treats.
Each variation keeps the cozy fall vibes while offering a unique flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
Baked donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for later:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for 4–5 days, though sugar coating may soften.
Freezer: Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before coating with cinnamon sugar.
Reheating Tips:
Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes for a “freshly baked” feel.
FAQs
1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes! You can use a muffin tin—just bake slightly longer and they’ll turn out like “donut muffins.”
2. Do I have to reduce the cider?
Reducing the cider intensifies the apple flavor, so it’s highly recommended. Otherwise, the flavor may be too mild.
3. Can I make them gluten-free?
Absolutely—substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
4. How do I make them dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar in place of buttermilk.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe doubles easily if you’re baking for a crowd.
Conclusion
Baked apple cider donuts are the ultimate fall treat—warm, spiced, and bursting with apple flavor. They’re easy to make, healthier than fried versions, and perfect for cozy mornings, gatherings, or just treating yourself on a crisp autumn day.
So, grab some fresh cider, preheat your oven, and enjoy the sweet flavors of fall with a batch of these irresistible donuts. One bite, and you’ll understand why they’re a seasonal favorite!
Print
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These baked apple cider donuts are soft, spiced, and coated in cinnamon sugar—the perfect cozy fall treat! Easy to make, no frying required, and full of fresh apple flavor.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup. Let cool.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease donut pans with nonstick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugars, melted butter, vanilla, and cooled cider reduction.
- Combine: Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Spoon or pipe batter into donut pans, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Coat Donuts: Dip warm donuts in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar until coated.
- Serve: Enjoy warm or let cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Reduce the cider fully to intensify apple flavor—it’s worth the extra step.
- Use a piping bag (or Ziploc with the tip cut) to neatly fill the donut pan.
- For extra apple flavor, add 1 teaspoon apple pie spice to the batter.
- To make ahead, freeze donuts without coating and add cinnamon sugar after reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes