Apple Cider Donuts

Apple Cider Donuts are fluffy on the inside with just the right amount of crunch on the outside. These baked donuts are full of apple cider flavor and rolled in cinnamon and sugar, making them the perfect fall treats!

I have a weakness for donuts! I can’t resist grabbing one out of the case when heading off on a road trip, and donuts are always my treat of choice for a little reward! Sure, I love a good Boston Cream, but my all-time favorite is a sour cream Old-fashioned donut! And I LOVE dunking it in my coffee, too.

Every fall, the apple orchards near me sell freshly baked Apple Cider Donuts. They also sell them at our local farmers’ markets. Since I can’t always get out to the orchard when I have an apple cider donut craving, I knew I had to put together my own recipe! Who knew making my favorite donuts would be so gosh darn easy?

If you’re a donut fan like me, then you’re going to love these Baked Apple Cider Donuts! It’s a cake donut that’s soft, sugary, and full of fall flavor! Not to mention, they are quick and easy to make!

What Equipment Do I need?

Besides the typical measuring cups and spoons, you’ll also need a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon or silicone spatula for mixing, and a donut pan to shape your donuts.

Ingredients for the best Apple Cider Donuts

Most of the ingredients you need are pantry staples, but there are a few you might need to stock up on ahead of time. Here’s what you need to make a delicious apple cider donut:

• Apple Cider
• Milk
• Apple sauce
• Vanilla Extract
• All-purpose flour
• Brown Sugar (light or dark brown sugar will work)
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Nutmeg

Topping Ingredients

• Granulated Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Butter, melted

Make sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts of each ingredient.

How to make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These delicious donuts are so easy to make, even a first time baker can do it!

1.  First, preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease your donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. Add the apple cider, milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract to a large bowl and stir together until well combined. 
3. Next, add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the bowl and stir to combine these dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. 
4. Spoon or pipe the donut batter into your donut pan, about ¼ cup per donut, and then bake for 10-13 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch and golden brown. Let the donuts cool for a few minutes in the pan, then remove them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
5. Mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl while the donuts bake, then set aside. 
6. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
7. Once the baked donuts are cool enough to touch, dip both sides of a donut in the melted butter, then dip both sides into the cinnamon sugar coating to cover the donut completely in the topping. Repeat this step for all donuts, then enjoy! 

Recipe Variations

• I think apple cider donuts are best as fresh, warm donuts, but you can serve them at room temperature or even cold.
• Want to bump up the fall flavors? Use some apple pie spice instead of nutmeg. Buy it from the store or use my homemade Apple Pie Spice recipe.
• You can use a pastry brush to brush melted butter on the donuts instead of dipping them if you prefer.
• Use a disposable piping bag to pipe some of the batter into “donut holes” on a baking sheet. These little treats are always fun to snack on.

FAQs

How do I store leftover Apple Cider Donuts?

Store your donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze these homemade donuts and then reheat by letting them sit at room temperature or in the microwave. 

Note: If I’m going to eat these within a day or so, I prefer to just keep them lightly covered on the counter to keep the topping fresh. Otherwise the donuts will absorb some of the cinnamon sugar and the texture will change.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, you can use either one. Apple Cider is unfiltered, so is more opaque and has an earthier taste, while juice is clear and fresh. I love making these with spiced apple cider!

Don’t I need to use reduced apple cider?

Reducing means to cook it down to a thicker consistency. No, you don’t have to do that for this recipe. To make this recipe as simple as possible and still delicious, there are no extra steps to make it complicated! These donuts are so easy for your kids to make (with supervision, of course!).

How will I know when the Apple Cider Donuts are done in the oven? 

You will know they’re done in the oven when they are slightly firm, or when you press into one gently, it bounces back and doesn’t sink in. 

Can I make these dairy-free? 

Yes, simply use a non-dairy milk, such as oat milk or a milk of your choice, and be sure you’re using plant-based butter for the topping.

Do the topping ingredients make a grainy sugary topping or a glaze topping?

The topping is meant to be a crunchy sugary topping. Glazed toppings usually use powdered sugar, not granulated sugar. 

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

I’m all about the apples on this blog! They are the perfect base for so many fall recipes! Here are some of my favorite recipes full of apple flavor for you to try next time you’re in the kitchen:

• Did you like these Apple Cider Donuts? Then you have to try this easy one-bowl Apple Cider Donut Cake! It is the perfect dessert for fall! All the warm spices of fall are baked into this cake, like apples, cinnamon, and allspice. And that cinnamon sugar topping is divine!
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are like two desserts in one! A creamy cheesecake layer is topped with cinnamon apples and a streusel topping. I love making these for Thanksgiving or for other family gatherings. Everyone always wants the recipe!
• I love a classic, and this easy Apple Crisp with oatmeal topping is a real game-changer. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and some simple ingredients, you can make this any night of the week!
• One of my all-time favorite apple recipes on the blog is this easy Apple Crumb Cake. It makes the perfect breakfast, dessert, or afternoon snack. This buttery, moist cake is loaded with apple chunks and cinnamon, and baked with a crunchy streusel topping! Putting apples in a cake is a nice change from the typical apple desserts!
• You can’t have apples and NOT make apple pie! This Apple Cream Pie, also known as a German Apple Pie, is the easiest and most delicious apple pie recipe you’ll ever make. With apples covered in a cinnamon sugar mixture surrounded by heavy cream, this pie is a favorite all year round.

What’s your favorite apple dessert? Let me know in the comments below.

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