Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These baked apple cider donuts are the epitome of fall. The apple cider reduction gives them a rich, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Coated in spiced sugar, they are a true indulgence that’s perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon treat. They’re quick and easy to make, taking only about 30 minutes, and the results are irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- For the Donuts:
- 1.5 cups apple cider
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (can substitute with coconut oil)
- ½ cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder
- For the Spiced Sugar Topping:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- Reduce the Cider: Pour the apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and cook over medium heat without a lid until it reduces to about ⅓ cup. The cider will become a thick syrup. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Set aside.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, along with the cooled reduced apple cider syrup. Mix until just combined. Do not over-mix the batter.
- Prepare the Donut Pan: Grease a donut pan or use a piping bag to pipe the batter into the pan, filling each donut mold halfway.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the donuts for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Coat: Allow the donuts to cool for 5 minutes at room temperature. While cooling, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a wide bowl. Brush each donut with melted butter, then roll it in the spiced sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 16 donuts
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Different Spices: Experiment with different spices like ground ginger or cloves for a unique twist on the flavor profile.
- Plain Sugar Coating: For a less spicy option, simply coat the donuts in plain granulated sugar or powdered sugar.
- Glaze: Instead of the spiced sugar coating, you can drizzle these donuts with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate them if you want to keep them fresh a bit longer.
- Reheating: Reheat the donuts in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy them warm.
FAQs
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Apple cider gives a richer flavor, but if you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice. The flavor won’t be quite as intense, but it will still work.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the donuts ahead of time. Store them at room temperature in an airtight container and coat them in the sugar topping just before serving.
Can I freeze these donuts?
Yes, these donuts freeze well. Wrap them in plastic wrap or foil and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Thaw them at room temperature before reheating.
Can I use a mini donut pan?
Yes, you can use a mini donut pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time as they will cook more quickly, typically in 5-7 minutes.
Can I substitute coconut oil for the butter?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
What can I do if I don’t have a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin to make apple cider muffins instead. Just fill the muffin tin halfway with the batter and bake for about 15 minutes.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter?
Yes, you can fold in chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
Why is it important to let the cider cool before using it in the batter?
If the cider is too hot, it can cook the eggs in the batter, which would alter the texture and result in a less smooth donut.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make these donuts gluten-free.
How do I know when the donuts are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of a donut. If it comes out clean, the donuts are done. If it has batter on it, continue baking for another 1-2 minutes.
Conclusion
Baked Apple Cider Donuts are the ultimate fall treat, combining the rich flavors of apple cider and warm spices with a soft, cake-like texture. Coated in a spiced cinnamon-sugar mixture, these donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. Whether you serve them warm right out of the oven or save some for later, they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the flavors of autumn!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Baked Apple Cider Donuts are a soft, moist, and tender fall treat that combines the warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom with the richness of apple cider. These cake-like donuts are baked instead of fried for a slightly healthier indulgence.
Ingredients
1.5 cups apple cider
1 large egg
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil)
½ cup whole or 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (for topping)
½ teaspoon nutmeg powder (for topping)
½ teaspoon cardamom powder (for topping)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
Instructions
- Reduce the cider: Pour the apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced to about ⅓ cup. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients along with the cooled reduced cider. Mix until just combined.
- Prepare donut pan: Grease a donut pan or use a piping bag to pipe the batter into the pan, filling each donut mold halfway.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and coat: Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes at room temperature. In the meantime, mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom for the topping in a wide bowl. Brush the donuts with melted butter and roll them in the spiced sugar mixture.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Notes
Experiment with additional spices like ground ginger or cloves for a unique flavor twist.
For a less spicy option, use plain sugar or powdered sugar for coating.
You can drizzle the donuts with a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk instead of using the spiced sugar topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
