Baked Apple Cider Donuts
These baked apple cider donuts are everything you love about fall—soft, cakey, and packed with cozy apple-cinnamon flavor. The secret? Concentrated apple cider that adds an intense apple punch without making the batter too wet. And the best part? No frying required! Just mix, bake, and coat in that irresistible cinnamon-sugar goodness.
If you love bakery-style donuts but want an easy, no-mixer-needed recipe, this is it. In under an hour, you’ll have warm, fresh-from-the-oven apple cider donuts that taste like they came straight from your favorite café. Perfect for cool mornings, weekend brunch, or just because you need a little autumn indulgence!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Enjoy the cozy flavors of fall with these homemade baked apple cider donuts—cakey, dense, and packed with apple-cinnamon goodness. Unlike traditional fried donuts, this easy recipe requires no mixer and comes together quickly.
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Servings: 12 donuts
Calories: 264kcal
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1½ cups (360ml) apple cider (to be reduced)
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp apple pie spice (or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- ⅓ cup (80ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp apple pie spice
- 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Reduce the Cider: Follow the steps above to reduce the apple cider and let it cool.
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a donut pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, sugars, milk, applesauce, melted butter, vanilla, and cooled reduced cider.
- Combine & Fill: Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined (don’t overmix). The batter will be thick. Transfer to a zip-top bag, cut a corner, and pipe into the donut pan, filling each cup about halfway.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Let them cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Coat the Donuts: Mix sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice in a bowl. Brush or dip donuts in melted butter, then coat generously in the sugar mixture.
Nutrition
Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 21mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 7mg
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Tips & Variations
- No Donut Pan? Use a muffin pan and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Reduce the cider and store it in the fridge overnight.
- Spice it Up: Swap apple pie spice for pumpkin spice for a fun twist!
- Serving Idea: Enjoy with warm cider or a pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate fall treat.
Now, you’re ready to bake a batch of warm, spiced apple cider donuts—no frying required!
