Apple cider donuts are perfect for fall. Make this easy apple cider donut recipe and enjoy the delicious smells of the season in your kitchen! SO tasty.
I absolutely love donuts! They’re one of my favorite fall dessert recipes. If I can choose between chocolate or baked goods, I’m going with baked goods every single time!
One donut recipe that I love all year ’round, especially during the fall/holiday, is apple cider donuts. Once the cooler weather starts to come out, I bust out the apple cider and the apple dessert recipes. They just speak “autumn” to me, and are a good precursor to pumpkin desserts.
This isn’t the first time I’ve made baked donuts. There were the baked funfetti donuts, the maple chai donuts, and the pumpkin spice donut holes. Then we have the ultimate donut recipe . . . the cake mix donuts. I know how to make donuts from scratch as well as a few shortcuts.
Today I’m going to teach you how to make this apple cider donut recipe from scratch. It’s really easy. They are delicious and soft and cinnamon-y and apple-y and everything you could want in a donut.
Several of the other apple cider donuts I’ve seen out there have instructions for deep frying, but I can’t get behind that personally.
It’s way too messy and I just don’t have the interest in using that much oil. Plus the cleanup? No thanks. There’s no frying in this recipe for that reason.
That means, since these donuts are baked, that they aren’t quite as light and fluffy as the fried.
Baked vs. Fried
Baked donuts typically turn out a lot like cake donuts in density. I actually prefer cake donuts, so this apple cider donut recipe is perfect for me.
In addition to the consistency, the flavor of these donuts is perfectly fall. The cinnamon and apple spice flavors work so perfectly together.
And then of course there is the sugar on top that just makes these apple cider donuts. I feel like every fall donut recipe needs cinnamon sugar. Am I the only one?
The Benefits of a Donut Pan!
So I just found out about donut pans recently, and they are completely amazing. That is how you get your perfectly shaped baked donuts! I have the Wilton 6-cavity pan shown above and love it. This recipe makes six donuts, so you’ll fill the pan.
Are you ready to get this apple cider donut recipe? Here’s what you’re going to need.
Ingredients
- 3 T unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
For the Topping
- 3 T butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
These donuts are best eaten the same day. They’ll last a day or two after though – just place in Tupperware. They’re great for bringing to fall bake sales!
Have you ever tried apple cider donuts? You need to make them ASAP! Your fall baking rotation will be forever changed – trust me on this one!
Apple Cider Donuts
Make this easy apple cider donut recipe and enjoy the delicious smells of the season in your kitchen this autumn! SO tasty.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 3 T butter (unsalted)
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg(s)
Topping
- 3 T butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small sauce pan, melt the butter. Stir in the cider and set aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Whisk the sugar and egg into the cider and butter mixture until evenly combined.
- Stir together the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Don't over-mix.
- Spray the donut pan with cooking spray if it's not already non-stick. Add batter to a piping bag and pipe evenly into the pan (or spoon in carefully).
- Bake for approximately 7 minutes - be sure to watch carefully and test with a toothpick. Allow to cool 1 minute before removing donuts onto a cooling rack.
- While the donuts are baking, make the topping. Melt the butter and place into a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, stir the cinnamon, brown sugar, and white sugar together.
- Dip each donut in the butter mixture and lightly coat in the dry mixture. Place back on cooling rack.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 donutAmount Per Serving: Calories: 311Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 277mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 3g
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments. I’d love to hear if you make it. I’d also love for you to check out some of our other recipes:
Jen
Saturday 7th of October 2023
These are great! I used gluten free flour to make them and they were so good. It only made 4 donuts for me which is perfect!
Amy
Saturday 7th of October 2023
Yay glad you liked them!
Karen L. Wells
Thursday 3rd of November 2022
How can I bake these if I do not have a donut pan?
Amy
Monday 9th of January 2023
ll you need is a cupcake pan and some regular old tin foil! Cut the foil into a 4 x4 square and bend gently around your middle finger. Remove your finger and press the shape you're left with into the muffin tin in the center. That will be the center of your donuts.
Jackie
Saturday 6th of November 2021
Can hard apple cider be substituted for apple cider?
Amy
Saturday 6th of November 2021
I don't think so because of the fermentation. But hey, I'd give it a try at my own risk! :D
Madison
Monday 5th of July 2021
Could these be made in a donut maker? If so, how would it need to be modified? Thanks! Excited to try these :)
Amy
Wednesday 7th of July 2021
Hi Madison! I'd honestly just give the recipe a try as-is! I've never used a donut maker, but I'm assuming it can just cook batter like anything else. I've never used a donut maker!
Dana Jane
Thursday 19th of December 2019
These turned out great! I love apple cider donuts and this recipe is easy to use and turns out great. Good thing it only makes 6 at a time because I would have eaten way too many. Making as gifts for Christmas. Mine turned out fluffy on the inside and the topping was great. Will definitely make this my go to.