Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

One of my favorite ways to welcome the cozy fall season is by baking a batch of these warm, tender baked apple cider donuts. There’s just something magical about the way the spicy, sweet aroma of apple cider and cinnamon fills the kitchen — it instantly reminds me of crisp autumn mornings and weekend brunches with friends. I still recall the first time I shared this Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe at a family gathering; everyone went back for seconds, and it quickly became a new tradition that I’m happy to pass on to you.

You’ll be charmed by how accessible this Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe is—even if you’ve never baked donuts before. We’ll walk through reducing cider to intensify flavor, mixing just right, and getting that perfectly coated sugar finish every time. Trust me, you’ll enjoy both the process and the delicious results.

Ingredients You’ll Be Working With

Getting your ingredients right is the first step toward a spectacular batch of baked apple cider donuts. I recommend measuring your dry ingredients by spooning and leveling the flour for accurate texture. The full ingredient list with exact measurements is below in the printable recipe card.

• Apple cider: Reduced down to intensify its sweet, tangy flavor that’s the heart of the recipe.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure; be sure to spoon and level to keep your donuts tender.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Work together to give lightness and proper rise for a fluffy donut.
• Ground cinnamon and apple pie spice: Warm spices that bring the signature autumn flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and moisture both in the batter and for coating.
• Egg: At room temperature to help everything bind and create a tender crumb.
• Brown and granulated sugar: Brown sugar brings depth; granulated sugar gives sweetness and crunch on top.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness; use whole milk or dairy-free milk as you prefer.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.

If you want to adapt, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, and use any type of milk that suits your diet. The brown sugar can also be replaced with coconut sugar for a deeper caramel note.

Tools You’ll Need

• Small saucepan: Essential for reducing apple cider to concentrate flavor without burning.
• Donut pan: For shaping donuts easily and ensuring even baking.
• Whisk and mixing bowls: For smooth batter without lumps.
• Large zip-top bag or piping bag: Makes filling donut cavities mess-free and precise.
• Wire cooling rack: To cool donuts evenly and prevent sogginess.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy in baking guarantees great texture every time.

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Ready to dive in? The key here is layering flavors step-by-step, mostly starting with reducing that apple cider to a rich syrupy base. Here’s how I like to take you through each part of the process smoothly.

1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1½ cups of apple cider into a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to about ½ cup—this usually takes around 20 minutes. The aroma will be heavenly! Set aside to cool for at least 10 minutes; this ensures the cider thickens for best flavor impact.
2. Prep the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray your donut pan with non-stick spray. This step ensures your donuts release easily after baking.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt. Sifting isn’t necessary here, but make sure they’re well combined for even flavor distribution.
4. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, both sugars, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then stir in the cooled reduced apple cider.
5. Bring it all together: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until just combined. The batter should be slightly thick but smooth—don’t overmix or you might get dense donuts.
6. Fill the donut pan: Transfer the batter to a large zip-top bag, snip off a corner, and pipe the batter evenly into donut cavities about halfway full. This trick keeps things neat and helps control portion size.
7. Bake: Put the pan in the oven for 10 to 11 minutes, or until the donuts turn lightly browned around the edges. You can test doneness by gently poking a donut—the surface should bounce back softly.
8. Cool briefly and repeat: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Give the pan a quick re-grease and bake the remaining batter the same way.
9. Coat the donuts: Mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice in a bowl. Dip each warm donut first in melted butter, then toss generously in the sugar-spice mixture for that crave-worthy coating.
10. Serve fresh: These donuts are best enjoyed immediately while still slightly warm, bursting with apple and spice flavor.

How to Serve

Flavor Boosters

Add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar to elevate your Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe if you want a little extra indulgence. For a twist, try sprinkling crushed toasted pecans on top or swirling in a touch of maple glaze to amplify fall vibes.

Perfect Pairings

These donuts pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced chai, fresh apple cider, or your favorite coffee brew. If you want a light snack, try them alongside a bowl of cinnamon-spiced Greek yogurt or a sharp cheddar cheese to play up the sweet-spicy contrast.

Presentation Touches

Serve your donuts on a rustic wooden board or tiered cake stand for a charming autumn display. Wrap small batches in parchment tied with twine for cute edible gifts. If bringing to a gathering, consider a basket lined with a cozy cloth to keep these treats warm and inviting.

Variations & Easy Swaps

• Make it dairy-free by substituting milk with almond or oat milk and butter with coconut oil.
• Boost flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves into the spice mix for extra warmth.
• Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for some crunch inside the batter.
• Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
• Turn these into mini muffins using the same batter but in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Store baked donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze batches for up to 2 months.
• Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes to refresh texture.
• Keep the cinnamon sugar topping separate if you plan to freeze, and coat fresh when ready to enjoy.

FAQs

• Can I use store-bought apple pie spice? Absolutely! It saves time and offers a perfect blend of warm flavors for the donuts.
• What if I don’t have a donut pan? You can bake the batter in muffin tins, but your treats will be more like muffins than traditional donuts.
• How do I know when the donuts are done? They should be lightly browned on the edges and spring back when you gently press the top.
• Can I make the apple cider reduction ahead of time? Yes, it can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; just bring to room temperature before mixing into batter.
• Why are my baked donuts dense? Overmixing the batter or not measuring flour correctly are common causes. Stick to spooning and leveling flour and mix just until combined.