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freshly made apple cider donuts coated with cinnamon sugar, arranged on a small plate.

best apple cider donuts


  • Author: Ava
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 donuts
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Apple cider donuts are the ultimate fall treat—warm, spiced, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Make them at home with this easy, flavorful recipe.


Ingredients

  1. Apple cider – The star ingredient that gives these donuts their signature flavor.
  2. Eggs – Just one large, room-temperature egg is needed.
  3. Sugars – Mixing granulated and brown sugar imparts sweetness and depth.
  4. Butter – Melted, unsalted butter creates a rich texture.
  5. Milk – Whole or 2% works best for moisture.
  6. Vanilla – Adds warmth and enhances the spiced flavors.
  7. Flour – Provides structure and texture.
  8. Baking powder & baking soda – Both are essential for the perfect rise.
  9. Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom bring warm, cozy flavors.

Instructions

1️⃣ Reduce the apple cider
Apple cider being poured into a pan, beginning to simmer and reduce to concentrate.

Simmer on the stovetop until it thickens into a syrup, then let it cool.

2️⃣ Prepare the batter
Pouring milk into a bowl with butter, brown sugar, and other ingredients for apple cider donut batter.

Mix the egg, butter, milk, vanilla, and both sugars in a bowl.

3️⃣ Whisk the dry ingredients
Whisking flour, cinnamon, and other dry ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon for apple cider donut batter.

Blend the following dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices) in another bowl.

4️⃣ Combine wet and dry

Simply fold in the dry ingredients with the wet, making sure pigs do not fly before their first encounter.

5️⃣ Pipe into the pan
Piping apple cider donut batter into a donut pan, filling each cavity evenly.

Pour the batter into a lightly oiled donut pan.

6️⃣ Bake

Bake until a clean toothpick comes out from the center.

7️⃣ Dip in butter
Dipping a freshly baked apple cider donut into melted butter.

Brush or dip the warm donuts in melted butter.

8️⃣ Coat in cinnamon sugar
Coating the top of a freshly dipped apple cider donut in cinnamon sugar.

Roll in the spiced sugar mixture while still warm.

Notes

  • Reducing the cider is key for deep apple flavor.
  • Best eaten fresh but can be stored for later.
  • Coating them in cinnamon sugar while warm enhances the taste.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking/Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: apple cider donuts, homemade donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, baked donuts, fried donuts, fall desserts, apple spice donuts, easy donut recipe