Baked Apple Cider Donuts

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Warm, fluffy, and kissed with cinnamon sugar our apple cider donuts taste like autumn in every bite. Perfectly sweet, perfectly spiced, and impossible to resist.

Several years ago we went to Stowe, Vermont and ended up at a cider mill.  I love apples and there is nothing better then fresh pressed apple cider.  We were able to not only try some cider but we could also watch them pressing the apples into the cider. 

What is apple cider?

Apple cider is a beverage made from freshly pressed apple.  It’s similar to apple juice but it’s unfiltered and it hasn’t been sweetened or clarified. It often looks cloudy because there are bits of apple pulp in it. 

I really love making things with apple cider.  Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider is one way I use it to make a delicious warm drink in the winter or fall. If I’m looking for a chilled drink then this Apple Cider Mimosa is perfect for brunches or holidays.  

Of course you can bake with apple cider as well. We were able to see into the kitchen of the cider mill and they were baking fresh apple cider donuts which looked amazing.  I’ve made Apple Cider Bundt Cake before but I decided it was time to try making donuts with the cider as well. 

While donuts are traditionally fried I tend to enjoy baked donuts better.  In order to make them you need a donut pan.  I know many people have two donut pans so they can make a dozen at once but I find that donuts bake quickly so I usually only use one pan at a time. 

The thing about apple cider donuts are that they don’t have a strong apple flavor.  They are moist, sweet, and topped with cinnamon and sugar.

To give them a little extra apple cider flavor I like to brush the tops with apple cider in order to help the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to the top.  I also tend to use apple pie spice instead of cinnamon in my topping.

Can you make apple pie spice?

You sure can! Apple Pie spice is a blend of warm spices that smell and taste like homemade apple pie.  Combine 4 Tablespoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon of ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of either ground cloves or cardamom.  If you don’t have all of these spices you can go with just the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  

Ingredients:

• apple cider (do not use apple juice, it needs to be apple cider)
• all purpose flour
• baking powder
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• salt
• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• egg
• milk (whole milk is preferred but low fat or plant based will work)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium high heat.  Reduce to medium and allow the cider to reduce down to 1/3 cup. 

Spray a donut pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the egg and mix well.  In another medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Add the milk and stir until well combined.  Add remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined. 

Fill the donut pan 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until they are cooked through.  Remove from oven and take the donuts out of the pan.  Cool on a wire rack.  

how do you get the batter in the pan?

I’ve found the easiest way to do this is to put the batter in a zip top bag.  Cut off the end and pipe the batter into the donut pan.  Try to make the circle in one singular piece so that the donut bakes up evenly. 

These donuts are so tasty!   They are sweet and spiced.  Then there is a hint of apple cider along with the apple pie spice topping. 

Because they are baked they are also better for you than fried donuts so why not have two?  Trust me, you are going to one to grab a mug of coffee, tea, or even hot apple cider, and enjoy these for breakfast or a snack!

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Delicious spiced donuts topped with apple cider and spices.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 donuts

Author: Hezzi-D

Equipment

• 2 mixing bowls
• 1 donut pan
• 1 Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoon butter softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup whole milk

For the Topping:

• 2 Tablespoons apple cider
• 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice or cinnamon

Instructions

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple cider to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cider has reduced to 1/3 cup. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• In another medium mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add in the egg and continue beating. Mix in half the flour mixture.
• Stir in the milk and then add the remaining flour mixture. Stir until well combined then add in the apple cider. Mix until just combined.
• Fill the donut pan 2/3 of the way full and put into the oven for 9-11 or until the donuts are golden brown. Remove from oven and put on a wire rack.
• Combine the apple pie spice and sugar on a plate. Place the apple cider in a shallow bowl and dunk the top of sides of a donut into the apple cider then dip into the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining donuts. Donuts will keep for 2-3 days.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe