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Simple, perfectly fall-spiced, moist and dense muffin-like Baked Apple Cider Donuts dipped in a sugar-spiced coating are sure to become your favorite fall treat!
Fall is here and I couldn’t be more excited! Our mornings and evenings have been chilly, so even if it’s still hot in the afternoons, I’m officially calling it sweater(ish) weather. Which means that it’s also baking season. And that only means that these deliciously sweet Baked Apple Cider Donuts are sure to be on a weekly rotation in my house for Sunday brunches.
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are full of fall flavors: apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and a pinch of cardamon. The sweet sugar spice topping sends these donuts over the edge and did I mention that these donuts are BAKED? Yes, no waiting for the dough to rise or frying in hot oil. Simple, wonderfully fall spiced, dense muffin-like crumb texture that is irresistible and the most perfect indulgent fall treat.
The key to apple cider donuts is to flavor them with apple cider concentrate which gives a more intense flavor to these donuts versus regular apple cider that you would drink. If you can’t find apple cider concentrate, you can reduce regular apple cider by simmering 1 ½ cups of apple cider on low heat, stirring occasionally until you’re left with about ½ cup. This process usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes until you use in the recipe.
I hope you enjoy these Baked Apple Cider Donuts as much as we do!
Cheers!
p.s. if you're looking for more delicious fall recipes, check out my Classic Apple Pie recipe or my Browned Butter Spiced Pear Bundt Cake with an Apple Cider Glaze.
PrintBaked Apple Cider Donuts
Simple, perfectly fall-spiced, moist and dense muffin-like Baked Apple Cider Donuts dipped in a sugar-spiced coating are sure to become your favorite fall treat!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- Pinch of cardamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup apple cider concentrate*
- ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
Topping
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray donut pan with a non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamon and salt together.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla and apple cider concentrate together.
- With the mixer on low, alternate mixing the buttermilk and flour mixture until just combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
- Fill the donut cavities about halfway way. I recommend spooning the batter into a pastry bag with a large round tip (or use a zipped top bag and cut a corner off the bottom) to pipe batter into donut pan.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool donuts for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.
- To coat the donuts, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dip both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the spiced sugar mixture.
- Donuts are best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
* If you can’t find apple cider concentrate, you can reduce regular apple cider by simmering 1 ½ cups of apple cider on low heat, stirring occasionally until you’re left with about ½ cup. This process usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes until you use in the recipe.
Keywords: apple, donut
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Becky says
Definitely satisfied my donut craving without having to fry!
★★★★★