Name: Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups (354ml) apple cider; 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour; 2 ½ teaspoons (6.25g) ground cinnamon; 2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder; 1 ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice; 1 teaspoon (5g) salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted; ½ cup (55g) light brown sugar, packed; ¼ cup (48g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 large egg yolk; ¾ cup (189g) unsweetened applesauce; 1 tablespoon (15ml) maple syrup; 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract; ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup (190g) granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon (7.5g) ground cinnamon

Ingredients

1 ½ cups (354ml) apple cider

3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour

2 ½ teaspoons (6.25g) ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder

1 ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice

1 teaspoon (5g) salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted

½ cup (55g) light brown sugar, packed

¼ cup (48g) granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

¾ cup (189g) unsweetened applesauce

1 tablespoon (15ml) maple syrup

2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract

½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

1 cup (190g) granulated sugar (for coating)

1 tablespoon (7.5g) ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan with baking spray and set aside.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the cider reduces to ½ cup, about 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, apple pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Exclude the sugars for now.

Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, applesauce, vanilla extract, and maple syrup, whisking until smooth. Stir in the cooled apple cider mixture.

Step 5: Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. The batter will be thick.

Step 6: Spoon the batter into a large piping bag and pipe it evenly into each donut cavity, filling them full.

Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 9 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack until warm enough to handle.

Step 8: To make the coating, whisk the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl. Dip each warm donut into the melted butter on both sides, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat evenly and repeat with all donuts.

Tips & Variations

Use a parchment cone or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped if you don’t have a piping bag for easy donut filling.

Substitute apple pie spice with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice if you prefer a homemade blend.

For a richer flavor, try adding a teaspoon of ground ginger or clove to the dry ingredients.

These donuts are best enjoyed the same day but can be refreshed in a warm oven for a few minutes before serving.

Storage

Store leftover apple cider donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before eating. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month—wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and warm before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin for donut holes or shape the dough by hand and bake on a greased baking sheet, though the shape will be different.

Is it possible to fry these apple cider donuts instead of baking?

Yes, traditionally apple cider donuts are fried. However, this recipe is designed for baking to keep it simple and less oily. If frying, you would need to adjust the dough and cooking method accordingly.