Description
These homemade baked apple cider donuts are a cozy fall treat with the rich flavors of apple cider and cinnamon. A healthier alternative to fried donuts, they’re easy to make and perfectly fluffy, topped with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Enjoy them warm with apple cider or coffee for the ultimate autumn experience!
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider, reduced and cooled
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk or sour cream
For the Topping:
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan with butter or nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Let it cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, light brown sugar, and white sugar.
- In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: egg, vanilla extract, milk (or sour cream), and cooled cider.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity halfway.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool on a wire rack or parchment paper.
- While the donuts cool, prepare the topping by mixing white sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each cooled donut in melted butter and then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve warm with apple cider or your favorite drink.
Notes
- For a pumpkin spice twist, add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the batter.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin or form donut holes.
- For a different flavor, try glazing the donuts instead of using the cinnamon-sugar topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
