There’s something undeniably magical about the cozy spices and tender crumb of these Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe. Imagine fluffy donuts infused with warm apple cider and spiced perfectly with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, delivering a burst of autumn comfort in every bite. This recipe captures the crisp essence of fall without deep-frying, making it a lighter delight that still feels indulgent. Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch or a chill afternoon treat, these baked apple cider donuts will soon become your go-to favorite for sharing sweet moments with loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each component plays a role in balancing sweetness, spice, moistness, and that signature soft texture you crave in a perfect donut.
- Apple cider (1 ½ cups): This is the heart of the recipe, infusing the donuts with fresh, fruity flavor and moisture.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups): Provides structure while keeping the texture tender and light.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon) and baking soda (½ teaspoon): Essential leavening agents for fluffy donuts that rise beautifully.
- Kosher salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and spices perfectly.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon), ground ginger (½ teaspoon), ground cloves (¼ teaspoon), and nutmeg (pinch): A cozy, warming blend of spices that define the fall-inspired flavor profile.
- Unsalted butter, melted (3 tablespoons): Adds richness and a tender crumb to the donuts without greasiness.
- Light brown sugar (½ cup): Offers deep, caramel notes and moisture thanks to its molasses content.
- Sour cream (¼ cup): Contributes tenderness and a slight tang that brightens the overall flavor.
- Unsweetened applesauce (2 tablespoons): Another layer of moistness and natural sweetness.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the spices with its sweet aromatic touch.
- White sugar (1 cup), additional spices for coating: Combined with melted butter, this sweetened spiced coating gives the donuts that classic finish and irresistible texture.
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Reducing the Apple Cider
The first step is the secret to packing your donuts full of apple flavor. Gently simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup, thick and syrupy. This concentration intensifies the sweetness and fruity aroma without adding extra liquid that could make the dough too wet.
Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
While your cider cools, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and your perfectly balanced blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. This dry mix ensures every bite bursts with spice and the leavening guarantees fluffy perfection.
Step 3: Combining the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the melted butter with light brown sugar until smooth and well combined. Then add sour cream, applesauce, the egg, vanilla extract, and the cooled reduced apple cider. Mixing these wet ingredients thoroughly creates a creamy base that will yield tender donuts.
Step 4: Bringing Wet and Dry Together
Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. It’s important not to over mix here; a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overworking the batter can lead to tougher donuts, and we want them light and fluffy.
Step 5: Baking the Donuts
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan lightly or spray with non-stick spray. Spoon the batter into each donut cavity, filling about ¾ full to allow space for rising. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6: Coating the Donuts
While the donuts are baking, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix together white sugar with cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves. As soon as the donuts come out of the oven and are still warm, brush each one with melted butter, then toss them gently in the spiced sugar mixture until evenly coated. This coating adds a delightful crunch and a flavor-packed finishing touch.
How to Serve Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
While these donuts are perfectly delicious on their own, adding a simple garnish can elevate the presentation and flavor. Try sprinkling with extra chopped toasted pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a touch of indulgence. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a classic, elegant finish that looks stunning on a brunch spread.
Side Dishes
Pairing these baked apple cider donuts with warm beverages like chai tea, coffee, or apple cider itself creates a cozy sensory experience. For a heartier treat, serve alongside scrambled eggs, spiced oatmeal, or a fresh fruit salad to balance sweet and savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of a basic stack, try threading the donuts onto a wooden skewer with fresh apple slices in between for a charming and festive snack skewer. You could also arrange the donuts on a rustic wooden tray with small bowls of dipping sauces like maple syrup, cinnamon glaze, or chocolate ganache for an interactive dessert bar. These small touches create a memorable presentation and invite everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any donuts left over (which might be tough), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Be sure to keep them away from humidity to maintain that perfect sugar coating and soft texture.
Freezing
These baked apple cider donuts freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To enjoy your donuts warm after storage or freezing, pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This gently warms the donut without drying it out, reviving that just-baked feeling and crisp sugar coating.
FAQs
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
While apple juice is sweeter and less tangy than apple cider, you can substitute it if necessary. Just remember the flavor won’t be quite as robust, and you may want to reduce the sugar slightly to balance sweetness.
Why are my baked donuts dense or dry?
Overmixing the batter can cause dense donuts, so mix just until combined. Also, make sure not to overbake, as even a minute too long can dry them out. Using sour cream and applesauce helps keep them moist, so don’t skip those ingredients.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still shine.
Is it necessary to reduce the apple cider?
Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor and prevents the batter from becoming too runny. Skipping this step may result in less pronounced apple taste and a wetter dough, so it’s highly recommended.
Can I add mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries make fantastic additions and add texture and bursts of flavor. Just fold them gently into the batter before baking.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe feels like passing along a warm hug in donut form. It’s a simple yet unforgettable way to welcome cozy mornings and spice-filled afternoons. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or giving donut making a first try, this recipe welcomes all with open arms and delicious results. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and those you love to a batch of these soft, spiced donut treasures. You’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced, capturing the essence of fall with apple cider, warm cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Baked instead of fried, they offer a lighter, healthier twist on a classic treat. Topped with a cinnamon-sugar coating, these donuts make a delightful snack or breakfast option perfect for cozy mornings or gatherings.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1 ½ cups (360 grams) apple cider
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (110 grams) light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 grams) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Reduce the apple cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to about ¾ cup, approximately 15-20 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
- Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the cooled reduced apple cider, melted butter, light brown sugar, sour cream, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Make the batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain tender donuts.
- Fill the donut pan and bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the donut comes out clean.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: While donuts bake, combine white sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves in a shallow dish. Set aside. Melt the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a separate shallow dish.
- Coat the donuts: Remove baked donuts from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Serve and enjoy: Allow the donuts to cool slightly before serving. These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Reducing the apple cider concentrates the flavor and avoids adding too much liquid to the batter.
- Use a light hand when mixing the batter to keep donuts tender and fluffy.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin and adjust baking time accordingly.
- These donuts are best eaten the same day but can be briefly warmed in the oven before serving if stored.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the spice mix.
