These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are tender, cakey, and full of fall flavor. They’re quick and easy to make, healthier than fried donuts, and perfect for a sweet breakfast, afternoon treat, or a simple dessert.
They are full of fall baking spices and finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. If you love apple recipe, be sure to try our Caramel Apples, Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, and Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake.
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Baked Apple Cider Donuts
There are so many reasons to love this apple cider donuts recipe. Not only is it healthier than regular fried donuts. They are also easier to make, take a fraction of the time, and taste absolutely amazing. Full of fall spices, apple cider, and buttermilk, these cakey donuts are moist, tender, and topped with cinnamon sugar.
They’re just as good as the donuts from your favorite bakery or apple orchard, but cheaper and make your whole house smell amazing. If you don’t have a donut mold, never fear. Just go ahead and bake the donut batter in muffin tins, then brush the baked donut muffins with butter and top with cinnamon sugar.
Key Ingredients
- Flour - all-purpose flour works great for these baked donuts.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda - these ingredients help the donuts to rise in the oven and keep the crumb nice and tender.
- Spices - this recipe calls for cinnamon and nutmeg. You could also substitute pumpkin pie spice.
- Apple Cider - any kind of apple cider will work great and give your donuts an amazingly sweet flavor. If you want a slightly stronger apple cider flavor, reduce it by about ⅓ and allow to cool completely before mixing into the batter. Apple juice works in a pinch, but make sure to reduce it first.
- Buttermilk - this adds tangy flavor as well as moisture to the baked donuts.
- Eggs - eggs hold the batter together so are a critical ingredient! Any kind of large eggs work great.
- Butter - melt your butter and allow it to cool slightly before adding.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping - you’ll need granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter to top your baked donuts.
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Make the donut batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk to combine. In a separate large bowl, combine the apple cider, sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk well, then add the apple cider mixture to the flour mixture and whisk to combine.
- Add batter to donut molds. Pour the donut batter into greased donut molds, filling each donut mold about ⅔ full.
- Bake donuts. Bake in a preheated oven for about 7-9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top of the donuts spring back when gently pressed.
- Top with cinnamon sugar. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for about 2 minutes. Use a fork or knife to gently remove the donuts onto a sheet tray. Lightly brush the tops with melted butter, then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve. Serve donuts warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
The possibilities for apple cider donut variations are endless. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors and toppings.
- For those who prefer an even sweeter treat, dip them in a simple glaze made with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and apple cider.
- Add an extra kick of flavor to your apple cider donuts by adding strong and spicy baking spices such as ginger, cloves, and allspice.
- Make a homemade maple glaze with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of vanilla extract and then dip them after they are baked.
- For a bite-sized version of apple cider donuts, try making donut holes. Coat the donut holes in cinnamon-sugar or glaze them with your favorite icing.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a pinch, you could substitute apple juice however the flavor won’t be nearly as strong. If you do use apple juice, it’s best to reduce it slightly in a pot beforehand. All the juice to reduce by about ? then cool completely before adding to the batter as directed.
If you don’t have a donut pan, just go ahead and bake donut muffins in a muffin pan lined with paper liners. Fill about ¾ full and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Yes! Allow donuts to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store frozen for up to 2 months. You can thaw in the fridge overnight and warm them up in a warm oven or even the microwave.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- Room Temperature: store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: you can also store donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: if you want to have donuts for later, they can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 2 months. You can thaw in the fridge or at room temperature overnight, then warm in the microwave or a preheated oven.
Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe
Ingredients
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1½ cups Apple Cider
- 1 cup Sugar
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Butter melted, to brush on donuts before adding cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl for the donut topping and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the apple cider, sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk well, then add the apple cider mixture to the flour mixture and whisk to combine.
- Pour the donut batter into greased donut molds, filling each donut mold about ⅔ full.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 7-9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top of the donuts spring back when gently pressed.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for about 2 minutes. Use a fork or knife to gently remove the donuts onto a sheet tray. Lightly brush the tops with melted butter, then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve donuts warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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These delicious homemade Apple Cider Baked Donuts are a fall favorite. They're tender, cakey, easy to make, and perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a simple dessert.
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