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These baked apple cider donuts are soft, cake-like donuts made with apple cider, warm cinnamon, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re baked instead of fried, come together with simple pantry ingredients, and are ready in less than 20 minutes. Whether you’re making them for a fall breakfast, weekend brunch, or afternoon treat with coffee, they’re an easy way to bring those classic apple orchard flavors home.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Ready In: 20 minutes
- Serves: 12 donuts
- Main Ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg, salt, apple cider
- Why You'll Love It: Try these warm homemade apple cider donuts are a great fall treat in less than 20 minutes.
Every fall, a gallon of apple cider somehow finds its way into my shopping cart. We use it for everything from sipping on cool evenings to baking seasonal treats, and this apple cider donut recipe is one of the recipes I look forward to making most.
They’re soft, lightly spiced, and coated in plenty of cinnamon sugar. The apple cider adds subtle flavor throughout the donuts, while the coating gives them that classic apple cider donut taste that feels right at home during apple season.
What to Know Before You Start
- These are baked, not fried. If you’re looking for a simple homemade version without dealing with hot oil, this recipe is for you. The texture is soft and cake-like rather than light and airy like a yeast donut.
- Easy to customize the apple flavor. The apple cider adds flavor throughout the donuts, but the cinnamon-sugar coating is what you’ll notice first. If you prefer a stronger apple flavor, simmer 1½ to 2 cups of apple cider until reduced to ½ cup before adding it to the batter.
- You’ll need a donut pan. A standard donut pan creates the classic shape and helps the donuts bake evenly.
- They’re quick to make. The batter comes together in minutes and the donuts bake in about 10 minutes, making them easy enough for a weekend breakfast or afternoon baking project.
- They’re best the day they’re made. The cinnamon-sugar coating has the best texture when fresh, though leftovers can be stored for a couple of days.
Baked vs. Fried Apple Cider Donuts
Traditional apple cider donuts are usually fried and often sold at orchards, cider mills, and fall festivals. This recipe uses a baked method instead, making it quicker and easier to prepare at home.
Baked apple cider donuts have a soft, tender, cake-like texture and still deliver the warm cinnamon-spice flavors people love. While they won’t have the same crisp exterior as a fried donut, they’re a great option when you want homemade apple cider donuts without the extra time and cleanup of frying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-purpose flour creates the tender, cake-like texture.
- Granulated sugar sweetens the batter and helps create a soft crumb.
- Baking powder gives the donuts their lift and keeps them light.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg create the classic warm spice flavor associated with apple cider donuts.
- Apple cider adds subtle apple flavor and moisture. Fresh apple cider typically provides the best flavor.
- Milk keeps the batter smooth and helps create a tender texture.
- Eggs provide structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract adds warmth and rounds out the flavor.
- Butter adds richness to both the batter and the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Cinnamon-sugar coating creates the signature finish that makes these donuts irresistible.
Baking Tools You’ll Need
- Donut Pan: You’ll need a standard 12-cavity donut pan to make classic baked apple cider donuts. If you only have 6-cavity pans, you can use two pans instead. No donut pan? A standard muffin pan works too. The texture will be very similar, though you’ll lose the traditional donut shape.
- Pastry Bag: A pastry bag isn’t required, but it makes filling the donut pan much easier and less messy. A zip-top bag with the corner snipped off works just as well.
- Mixing Bowl: One large mixing bowl is all you need to combine the batter.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measuring helps create soft, tender donuts and prevents the batter from becoming too dry.
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts
These homemade apple cider donuts come together with a simple stir-and-bake method. A piping bag makes filling the donut pan easier, but a zip-top bag works just as well.
Step 1: Prepare the donut pan
Preheat the oven to 325°F and generously coat a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Pro Tip: Be sure to spray the center posts of the pan as well. This helps the donuts release cleanly after baking.
Step 2: Mix the batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the apple cider, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir just until combined and no dry streaks of flour remain.
Pro Tip: Avoid overmixing the batter. Stirring too much can make baked donuts dense instead of soft and tender.
Step 3: Fill the donut pan
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling them about three-quarters full.
The batter should spread evenly around the pan without completely covering the center post.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched.
Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether they’re done, gently press the top of a donut. It should spring back instead of leaving an indentation.
Step 5: Coat in cinnamon sugar
While the donuts are still slightly warm, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Brush each donut with melted butter, then coat all sides in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
The warm donuts help the butter and cinnamon sugar stick evenly for the best flavor in every bite.
Expert Tips
- Measure the flour correctly. Too much flour can make baked donuts dry and dense. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the donuts tough instead of soft and tender.
- Use a piping bag for easy filling. A piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off makes it much easier to fill the donut cavities neatly.
- For a stronger apple flavor, reduce the cider first. Simmer 1½ to 2 cups of apple cider until reduced to ½ cup. Let it cool completely before adding it to the batter.
- Coat the donuts while they’re still warm. The melted butter and cinnamon sugar will stick more evenly when the donuts haven’t fully cooled.
- Avoid overbaking. The donuts are done when the tops spring back lightly when touched. A few extra minutes can dry them out quickly.
- Enjoy them the same day when possible. Like most baked donuts, they’re softest and freshest within the first day.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use reduced apple cider. For a more pronounced apple flavor, reduce the cider before adding it to the batter.
- Add extra spices. A pinch of cloves, allspice, ginger, or cardamom adds additional fall flavor.
- Try a maple finish. Skip the cinnamon-sugar coating and drizzle the cooled donuts with a simple maple glaze.
- Make mini donuts. Use a mini donut pan and begin checking for doneness a few minutes earlier.
- Turn them into muffins. If you don’t have a donut pan, bake the batter in a muffin tin. The texture will be similar, though the baking time will be longer.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Storage – Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freezing – Freeze uncoated donuts in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, brush with melted butter, and coat with cinnamon sugar before serving.
Reheating – Warm individual donuts in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds before serving.
FAQs
Can I make apple cider donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can bake the batter in a standard muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan. The texture will be very similar, but they won’t have the classic donut shape. Start checking for doneness around 12 to 15 minutes since muffins typically take longer to bake.
Should I reduce the apple cider before making the donuts?
Reducing the apple cider is optional, but it creates a stronger apple flavor. Simmer 1½ to 2 cups of apple cider until reduced to ½ cup, then let it cool completely before adding it to the batter. This concentrates the flavor without changing the texture of the donuts.
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes, you can substitute apple juice if needed, but apple cider will provide the best flavor. Apple cider is less filtered and has a richer apple flavor than apple juice, which gives these baked apple cider donuts their classic fall taste.
Are apple cider donuts baked or fried?
Traditional apple cider donuts are usually fried, but this recipe is baked. Baking creates a soft, cake-like texture while keeping the recipe simple and easy to make at home. It’s a great option if you want homemade apple cider donuts without frying.
Can I make these dairy-free?
We haven’t tested a dairy-free version of this recipe, but an unsweetened non-dairy milk and dairy-free butter should work in place of the milk and butter. Because the amount of dairy is relatively small, the overall texture should remain similar, though the flavor may vary slightly depending on the products you use.
More Fall Baking Recipes
If you enjoy these baked apple cider donuts, try one of these other fall baking recipes. They’re filled with warm spices, seasonal flavors, and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or sharing during the holiday season.
- Baked Pumpkin Donuts – Soft baked donuts packed with pumpkin flavor and warm spices, then finished with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Pumpkin Muffins with Pecan Streusel – Moist pumpkin muffins topped with a buttery pecan streusel for a bakery-style breakfast treat.
- Classic Apple Crisp – Tender cinnamon-spiced apples baked beneath a buttery oat topping and served warm.
- Maple Pumpkin Bread – A moist pumpkin bread sweetened with maple syrup and filled with cozy fall flavor.
- Caramel Apple Cake – A soft apple cake topped with caramel for an easy dessert that’s perfect for apple season.
Made these Baked Apple Cider Donuts? Leave a review and let me know how they turned out!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup apple cider, (see notes for optional reduced cider version)
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Cinnamon-sugar topping:
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted 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
- For a stronger apple flavor, simmer 1½ to 2 cups of apple cider until reduced to ½ cup. Let it cool completely before adding it to the batter.
- Avoid overmixing the batter. Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the donuts soft and tender.
- Fill the donut cavities about three-quarters full to help maintain the classic donut shape.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 3 months. Thaw, then brush with melted butter and coat with cinnamon sugar before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I baked the apple cider donuts this afternoon. I followed the recipe exactly. It was a success. Thank you! I will bake these again and share with friends and family.
Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m so glad you enjoyed.
These donuts were my first ever attempt and I will definitely make them again! My toddler loved helping to make and eat them. Took longer than 10 minutes to bake though, may just be my oven!
These are tasty donuts. Not sure if I’d call them apple cider donuts, more just a cinnamon flavor. Easy recipe.
Easy and delicious!