Apple Cider Donuts

These baked donuts are a wonderful fall treat.

dessert
donut
apple cider
apple
Published

October 17, 2023

Note that you should reduce apple cider first to concentrate it, so allow time for that step.

Ingredients

Donut

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider, reduced to 1/2 cup
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature*
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp teaspoon apple pie spice*
  • 6 tbsp butter, melted

Directions

  • Reduce the apple cider:
    • Stirring occasionally, simmer the 1 1/2 cup apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until you’re left with about 1/2 cup.
    • Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc until you have 1/2 cup (120ml).
    • Mine takes about 20 minutes. If there are any spices or solids on top of your reduced apple cider, leave them. * * Set 1/2 cup reduced cider aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • Make the donuts:
    • Whisk the 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp apple pie spice in a large bowl. Set aside.
    • Whisk the 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 egg, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract together.
    • Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
  • Spoon the batter into the donut cavities. —for ease, I highly recommend using a large zipped-top bag. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they’re done.
  • Cool donuts for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.
  • Coat the donuts:
    • Combine the 1 cup white sugar, 3/4 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 tsp apple pie spice together in a medium bowl.
    • Melt 6 tbsp butter.
  • Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping.

From Sally’s Baking Addiction.