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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coat Donuts: Brush each warm donut with melted butter, then roll them in the prepared spiced sugar mixture until fully coated on all sides.
- 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
