Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Apples, apple cider, and apple cider donuts are perfect representations of fall. In fact, I like to enjoy all three together and savor the flavor of fall.
I was born and raised in New England and lived there until I moved to Florida to attend graduate school. One of my favorite things about New England is apple season. Apple picking, apple cider and of course, fresh warm apple cider donuts. To this day, my favorite apples are McIntosh. I love how they are sweet, juicy and tender. I even love the scent of McIntosh apples. I remember having huge bags full of McIntosh apples and trying to find various ways to eat them, cook them or can them as quick as possible. Now, every fall season, I search every possible store to get my hands on McIntosh apples and apple cider.
Even if you don’t live where you can go apple picking and sample freshly pressed cider, you can certainly make homemade apple cider donuts. These baked apple cider donuts are the perfect fall treat. They only require one bowl and are relatively quick and easy. Since they are baked, they are light and fluffy. I love serving them with a cup of cold apple cider or a cup of hot coffee.
I also grew up in the land of Dunkin’ Donuts, so for me they are donuts, but I understand that doughnuts are the same thing : )
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
Cinnamon-sugar topping:
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
To make the donuts:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray donut pan with cooking spray.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. Add cider, milk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter. Mix until well blended.
- Fill each donut cup about ¾ full (I use a pastry bag with the end snipped to do it neatly.) Bake for 10 minutes until donuts spring back when touched. Allow to cool slightly before removing from pan.
To make the cinnamon-sugar topping:
Mix together sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl until well combined. Brush each donut with melted butter then toss in cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Calories: 204, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 234mg, Potassium: 122mg, Carbohydrates: 39g, Sugar: 22g, Protein: 3g, Vitamin A: 135%, Vitamin C: 0.1%, Calcium: 52%, Iron: 1.2%*Nutritional information is an estimate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist for the most accurate nutritional info.
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you sure have me craving cider doughnuts now! these look delicous
These fresh warm apple cider donuts are what I wish I had had for breakfast – these look amazing! Theres an apple orchard we go to to pick apples and they have apple cider donuts – I never tried making my own before so thanks for this recipe!
Excellent recipes! I made the cider donuts and then came out perfect and everyone that I gave these homemade donuts to loved them! I’m going to add this recipe to my Christmas baking gifts for sure!!
Hi, Sherry! I am so glad to hear that you loved the donuts. These are perfect for gifts. Who doesn’t love donuts?!
Yum – made these this morning. I halved the recipe since there are only 2 of us + a toddler eating them. I added more cider too, since the dough was very thick. Turned out very tasty!
These look great, I am a huge fan of donuts! Great way to get the fall apple flavor using apple cider.
OMG! I just made these exactly to your recipe (except I used vanilla almond milk instead of regular milk) and they came out perfect! It made an even dozen. I just ate one and I can’t wait until morning to have another! Thank you.
Hi, Andrea! These donuts really are the best. I am so glad to hear that you loved them!
These came out so perfect! I didn’t have apple cider but used cinnamon apple sauce with a tiny bit of water. They are great. Will definitely be making these again 🙂
So glad to hear that you loved them, Annie 🙂
Loved the donuts, but I would recommend starting with a whole cup of apple cider, then simmering it in a saucepan with a few cinnamon sticks to reduce it until only about a half a cup is left. It will produce a much more apple cider-y taste in the donuts.
Theo
Can you use apple juice instead of apple cider? Just wondering because I have it in the house.
Yes, you can use apple juice. Apple juice tends to be slightly sweeter, so your donuts may be sweeter.
We have a cider mill really close to us. AMAZING fresh cider donuts that I’d LOVE to reproduce in my kitchen! Thanks for sharing these at Saturday Night Fever!
I’m so jealous that you live right near a cider mill. I used to love picking up a few gallons of cider when I lived in New England. It is so fresh and delicious.
I also grew up in New England, and now live in Florida. I don’t miss much from up there, but I do miss the cider donuts that I cannot seem to find anywhere around here. This is fantastic, thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
I definitely don’t miss waking up early to shovel my car out of the snow! I’ve lived in Florida for over 7 years and don’t see myself going back, but I do like to visit for the cider donuts, clam chowder and lobster rolls 🙂