If fall had a scent, it would be a warm Apple Cider Doughnut fresh from the oven. These cozy little rings of joy are packed with apple flavor, coated in cinnamon sugar, and — bonus! — baked instead of fried. So you can eat two. Or three. No judgment.
They’re soft, cake-like, and perfect with a cup of coffee, a cider slushie, or just standing over the sink in your coziest socks. Make them for brunch, bake sales, or a Sunday morning treat-yourself moment.
Love apple season? Don’t miss my Salted Caramel Apple Blondies or Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread — equally snackable and make-your-house-smell-amazing level good.
📝 Ingredients
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider (reduced to 1/2 cup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Reduce the cider: Simmer 1 1/2 cups apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 15-20 minutes). Let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your doughnut pan.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and cooled cider reduction.
5. Combine: Add wet to dry and stir just until combined — don’t overmix.
6. Fill pan: Spoon batter into a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe into the greased doughnut pan.
7. Bake: 10–12 minutes until springy to the touch.
8. Cool briefly: Let sit 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
9. Coat: While still warm, brush with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar.
🍽 Serving Tips
- Serve warm with apple cider or hot coffee.
- Stack 3 on a plate, tie with twine for a rustic brunch touch.
- Wrap individually for bake sales or gifts — cute with a cinnamon stick!
🌟 Variations
- Dip tops in maple glaze instead of cinnamon sugar.
- Make minis! Just reduce baking time by a few minutes.
- Add finely chopped apples or grated apple to the batter.
😬 Troubleshooting
- Too dry? Watch your bake time and don’t overmix.
- No rise? Check your baking powder/soda dates.
- Cinnamon sugar not sticking? Make sure they’re still warm and brush enough butter.
🧊 Storage
- Room Temp: Store in airtight container up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Will keep for 4–5 days.
- Freeze: Skip coating and freeze up to 2 months. Rewarm and coat when ready.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Ingredients
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider reduced to 1/2 cup
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp butter melted (for brushing)
Instructions
- Reduce the cider: Simmer 1 1/2 cups apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 15-20 minutes). Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your doughnut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and cooled cider reduction.
- Combine: Add wet to dry and stir just until combined — don’t overmix.
- Fill pan: Spoon batter into a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe into the greased doughnut pan.
- Bake: 10–12 minutes until springy to the touch.
- Cool briefly: Let sit 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Coat: While still warm, brush with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- No doughnut pan? Use a muffin tin and bake a few minutes longer.
- Swap nutmeg for apple pie spice for extra autumn oomph.
Let me know if you make these — tag me on Pinterest or Instagram, I’d love to see how they turn out!
