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Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Easy Fall Recipe)

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These baked apple cider donuts are tender, cakey, and rolled in cinnamon sugar while warm. Made with reduced apple cider for concentrated flavor, they’re a quick and easy fall treat that’s perfect for gatherings or cozy mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to about ¼ cup, roughly 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 6-cavity donut pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for about 20 seconds.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, ¼ cup melted butter, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined—a few small lumps are fine. Do not overmix.
  6. Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag. Snip off about ½ inch from the corner. Pipe batter into each donut cavity, filling about ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.
  8. Let donuts cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
  9. While donuts are still warm, brush each lightly with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture (½ cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon) until fully coated.
  10. If using only one donut pan, let it cool completely, re-grease, and repeat with remaining batter.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Mix just until combined to avoid tough donuts. For best texture, coat donuts while warm. Store uncoated if making ahead; coat just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, fall recipe, apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://grubella.com/best-baked-apple-cider-donuts-easy-fall-recipe/