Apple Cider Doughnuts Recipe With Cinnamon Sugar

Apple cider doughnuts capture the essence of autumn in every soft, spiced bite.

Cozy mornings and crisp afternoons feel incomplete without something warm and comforting to enjoy with coffee or tea.

The balance of sweetness and spice makes them appealing during fall festivals, weekend brunching, or quiet moments at home.

Families love sharing them fresh from cooling racks while friends appreciate bringing them to gatherings.

The aroma alone fills kitchens with warmth that makes any day feel special.

Bakeries have made them seasonal favorites, but homemade versions bring joy that store-bought options rarely match.

Making them yourself means controlling sweetness levels and achieving that perfect tender crumb everyone craves.

You can have a plateful of golden, fragrant treats waiting before the morning rush ends.

What Makes Apple Cider Doughnuts So Satisfying

• Simple Ingredients: These doughnuts come together with pantry staples most home bakers already have sitting in their kitchen cabinets.
• Family Breakfast Star: Your whole family will devour these warm, spiced doughnuts that feel like a cozy autumn morning wrapped in pastry form.
• No-Fuss Baking: Forget complicated doughnut-making techniques – this recipe uses a standard baking pan and requires zero special equipment or deep-frying skills.
• Seasonal Comfort: The reduced apple cider and warm spices transform an ordinary breakfast treat into a celebration of fall flavors that makes your kitchen smell incredible.

Ingredients For Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Apple Cider (1 and 1/2 cups): The heart of your doughnut flavor, reduced to concentrate its sweet and tangy taste.
• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The base that gives your doughnuts their perfect soft texture.
• Egg (1 large): Helps bind the ingredients and adds richness to your doughnuts.
• Milk (1/2 cup): Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb.

• Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warm, comforting spice to your doughnuts.
• Apple Pie Spice (1 teaspoon): Boosts the apple flavor and creates depth.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a subtle, sweet background note.

• Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Creates a deep, molasses-like sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Provides basic sweetness and helps with texture.
• Melted Butter (2 Tablespoons): Adds richness and helps develop a tender crumb.

• Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps your doughnuts rise and become light.
• Baking Powder (3/4 teaspoon): Provides additional lift and softness.

• Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Creates a sweet, crunchy coating.
• Additional Cinnamon (3/4 teaspoon) and Apple Pie Spice (3/4 teaspoon): Enhances the topping’s flavor.
• Melted Butter (6 Tablespoons): Helps the sugar coating stick to your doughnuts.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl where all your dry and wet ingredients will come together for perfect mixing.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending ingredients smoothly without lumps, creating a silky batter.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure your doughnuts turn out exactly right every single time.
• Donut Pan (6-cavity): The key to shaping those beautiful round doughnuts with perfect centers.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps your freshly baked doughnuts cool evenly and stay crisp.
• Saucepan (Medium, 2-quart): Perfect for reducing apple cider to concentrate those rich flavors.
• Spatula: Great for scraping batter and ensuring no delicious mixture gets left behind.
• Pastry Brush: Helpful for coating doughnuts in melted butter before rolling in sugar.
• Piping Bag or Ziplock Bag: Optional tool for neatly filling donut pan cavities with batter.

How to Prepare Apple Cider Doughnuts

Helpful Notes for Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Simmer your apple cider slowly and patiently, stirring occasionally to concentrate the flavor without burning.
• Spray your donut pan generously with non-stick spray to ensure easy release and beautiful donut shapes.
• Whisk your dry ingredients completely to distribute spices evenly and prevent clumping in the final dough.
• Gently combine wet and dry ingredients until just smooth to keep your donuts tender and light.
• Dip warm donuts in melted butter and roll in spiced sugar while they’re still hot for maximum flavor coverage.

Possible Variations for Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour, ensuring you use the same volume measurement for a similar texture in your doughnuts.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap the egg with a mashed banana or applesauce, and use coconut oil instead of butter to create a plant-based version that keeps the warm spice flavors.
• Low-Sugar Option: Cut the granulated and brown sugar by half, then add monk fruit sweetener or stevia to maintain sweetness without extra calories in your doughnuts.
• Whole Grain Upgrade: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat or oat flour to boost the nutritional profile and add a slightly nuttier taste to your baked treats.

Casual Serving Ideas for Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Serve Warm and Fresh: Grab these doughnuts straight from the cooling rack when they’re still slightly warm for the most incredible texture and flavor burst.
• Perfect Breakfast Partner: Pair these doughnuts with a hot mug of coffee or fresh apple cider to enhance the apple spice notes and create a cozy morning moment.
• Simple Dipping Technique: Dunk the spiced doughnuts into a light glaze or additional melted butter for an extra layer of deliciousness that makes each bite more indulgent.
• Seasonal Presentation: Arrange these doughnuts on a rustic wooden board with some whole apples or cinnamon sticks to create a beautiful autumn-inspired display that looks as good as it tastes.

Storage Tips For Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Seal leftover doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping a paper towel inside to absorb extra moisture and maintain their soft texture.
• Refrigerate the doughnuts in a sealed container for up to 5 days, but let them come to room temperature before enjoying to restore their delicate crumb.
• Freeze the plain doughnuts (without the sugar coating) in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 weeks, wrapping each separately in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat refrigerated or thawed doughnuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their warm, fresh-baked feel.

Apple Cider Doughnuts Q&A

Apple Cider Doughnuts Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40-51 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 12 1x

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Description

Warm Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts bring fall’s comfort straight to your kitchen table, with a tender crumb and rich apple spice that feels like a cozy hug from an old friend. Grab your favorite mug of coffee and savor these delightful treats that make weekend mornings special.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 and ½ cups apple cider
• ½ cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon apple pie spice
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Simmer 1 and ½ cups apple cider over low heat for 25-30 minutes until reduced to ½ cup. Stir periodically and monitor liquid concentration carefully.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Generously coat your donut pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. Blend 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk until ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. In another bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 large egg, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until sugar dissolves.
5. Pour liquid ingredients into dry mixture. Stir gently until batter becomes smooth and no flour pockets remain.
6. Add reduced apple cider to batter. Fold carefully until completely incorporated.
7. Fill each donut pan cavity halfway with batter using a spoon or piping bag for even distribution.
8. Bake at 350°F for 10-11 minutes until donuts are golden and spring back when lightly pressed.
9. Allow donuts to cool in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
10. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in shallow dish. Mix 1 cup sugar, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¾ teaspoon apple pie spice in separate bowl.
11. Dip warm donuts in melted butter, then immediately coat with spiced sugar mixture. Rotate to ensure complete coverage.

Notes

• Reduce apple cider slowly and carefully to concentrate the flavor, which helps create a deeper apple taste in the doughnuts.
• Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off for clean, even filling of the donut pan cavities.
• Check donuts a minute before recommended baking time, as oven temperatures can vary and prevent potential over-browning.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 30-40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-11 minutes
• Category: Donuts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8 to 12
• Calories: 243 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1.2 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg