As the leaves turn golden outside, I can’t help but crave the comforting taste of homemade apple cider donuts. Today, I’m excited to share my favorite recipe for Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar Coating – a treat that captures the essence of fall in every bite!
The Perfect Fall Treat
These donuts are a delightful blend of sweet and spicy, with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The best part? They’re baked, not fried, making them a slightly healthier alternative to traditional donuts. Don’t worry, though – they’re just as delicious!
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: 12 donuts
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider, reduced to 1/2 cup
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Let’s Get Baking!
- Reduce the apple cider: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of apple cider to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-count donut pan with non-stick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and cooled reduced apple cider.
- Make the batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Fill the donut pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Prepare the coating: While the donuts are baking, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Coat the donuts: Once the donuts are done, let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, brush each donut with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Tips for Perfect Apple Cider Donuts
- Don’t skip the cider reduction! This concentrates the apple flavor and is key to achieving that authentic apple cider donut taste.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the dry ingredients.
- No donut pan? No problem! You can use a muffin tin to make donut “holes” instead.
Serving Suggestions
These donuts are best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a steaming mug of apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte. They’re perfect for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert at your next fall gathering.
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, cinnamon-sugar coated apple cider donut on a crisp autumn day. The combination of sweet apple, warm spices, and that irresistible sugar coating is pure comfort food magic. So why not bring a little bit of that fall festival charm into your own kitchen?
Give this recipe a try, and I promise your home will be filled with the most incredible aroma. Happy baking, and enjoy every bite of these delicious homemade treats!
