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Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

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These baked apple cider donuts are soft, tender, and coated in a crunchy cinnamon sugar shell. Made with reduced apple cider for intense flavor, they’re a quick and easy fall treat perfect for cozy mornings or holiday brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup (10-15 minutes). Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, whisk until combined. Add cooled reduced cider and buttermilk, whisk until smooth.
  5. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined (a few lumps are fine).
  6. Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with corner snipped off. Pipe batter into prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ⅔ to ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  8. While donuts cool, mix ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon in a shallow dish. Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl.
  9. While donuts are still warm, brush each with melted butter on all sides, then dip into cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly. Place on a clean rack or plate.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Coat donuts while warm for the sugar to stick. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and buttermilk substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, fall donuts, apple cider donuts, baked donuts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/best-baked-apple-cider-donuts-with-cinnamon-sugar/