Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Introduction

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a cozy, flavorful treat perfect for autumn or any time you crave a spiced dessert. Lightly cakey and coated with a warm cinnamon-sugar blend, they offer a delightful twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Apple cider
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup Brown sugar
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted (can substitute melted coconut oil)
• 1/2 cup Milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp Ground cardamom
• 1 cup Granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon (for coating)
• 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg (for coating)
• 1/2 tsp Ground cardamom (for coating)
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour the apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and heat over medium without a lid. Cook until it reduces down to about 1/3 cup and becomes a thick syrup. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Whisk to blend evenly.
4. Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients along with the cooled apple cider reduction. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Step 5: Grease a donut pan and fill each cavity about halfway with batter. For easier and neater filling, use a piping bag to pipe the batter into the pan.
6. Step 6: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully remove them and set aside to cool slightly more on a wire rack or plate.
8. Step 8: While the donuts are cooling, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom for the coating in a wide bowl.
9. Step 9: Brush each donut with melted butter, then roll it in the sugar-spice mixture until fully coated.
10. Step 10: Serve the donuts immediately for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use a piping bag to fill the donut pan for a cleaner and more even donut shape.
• Substitute melted coconut oil for butter to add a subtle tropical flavor and make the recipe dairy-free.
• Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dry spices for extra warmth and complexity.
• If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin for similar results.

Storage

Store the baked and coated donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days and bring to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in a microwave or oven to refresh the coating and softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the egg with a flax or chia egg, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with melted coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.

What if I don’t have apple cider on hand?

You can substitute apple cider with apple juice, but be sure to reduce it down to a syrup to concentrate the flavor as in the recipe for best results.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 111 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 donuts 1x

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Description

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a delightful fall treat with warm spices and a tender cake texture. Made with reduced apple cider for a rich flavor, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, then coated in a buttery spiced sugar blend, these donuts offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice without the mess of frying. Baked in the oven and easy to make, they’re ideal for a cozy breakfast or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Apple cider
• 1 Egg (Large)
• 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup Brown sugar
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted (can also use melted coconut oil)
• 1/2 cup Milk (Whole or 2%)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted (for brushing donuts)

Dry Ingredients for Batter

• 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
• 1/8 tsp Cardamom powder

Coating Sugar Mixture

• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder

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Instructions

1. Reduce Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and cook over medium heat without a lid until it reduces to about 1/3 cup, forming a thick syrup. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
4. Form Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients along with the cooled reduced apple cider. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix to maintain a tender crumb.
5. Prepare Donut Pan & Fill: Grease a donut pan lightly with butter or nonstick spray. Pour the batter into the pan, filling each mold halfway. For easier and neater filling, you can transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe into the molds.
6. Bake Donuts: Place the donut pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean.
7. Cool Donuts: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool at room temperature for 5 minutes. Then, gently remove the donuts from the pan.
8. Prepare Sugar Coating: While the donuts are cooling, mix the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a wide bowl to create the spiced sugar coating.
9. Coat Donuts: Brush each warm donut with melted butter, then roll them in the prepared spiced sugar mixture until fully coated on all sides.
10. Serve & Enjoy: Serve the donuts immediately for best flavor and texture. Enjoy these spiced, soft baked donuts fresh!

Notes

• Reducing the apple cider intensifies its flavor, so be patient and allow it to thicken properly.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts tender and avoid toughness.
• If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin, but the shape may differ.
• For dairy-free options, substitute butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based milk alternative.
• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; best served fresh.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cider donuts, baked donuts, fall dessert, spiced donuts, cinnamon donuts, cake donuts, easy baked donuts