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Quick Baked Salted Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

baked salted caramel apple cider donuts - featured image
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Tender, spiced baked donuts with concentrated apple cider flavor, coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with a silky salted caramel sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with no yeast or deep frying required.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¼ cup buttermilk, room temperature (or ¼ cup milk mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (for caramel glaze)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (for caramel glaze)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (for caramel glaze, plus more for sprinkling)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel glaze)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar coating)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar coating)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray your donut pan generously with non-stick spray.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour the 1 cup of apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to about ¼ cup (about 8-10 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  4. Mix the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the reduced apple cider until smooth.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Fill the donut pan: Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
  7. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.
  8. Make the caramel glaze: While the donuts bake, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and flaky sea salt. Let cool slightly.
  9. Cool the donuts: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 3 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter.
  10. Coat with cinnamon sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix the ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dip each buttered donut into the cinnamon sugar, coating both sides. Tap off excess.
  11. Drizzle with caramel: Drizzle the salted caramel over the coated donuts. Sprinkle a tiny bit more flaky sea salt on top.
  12. Serve immediately: Best eaten the day they’re made, preferably while still slightly warm.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the apple cider—it concentrates the flavor and prevents soggy donuts. Watch your oven temperature; check donuts at 9 minutes if your oven runs hot. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts. Let donuts cool slightly before glazing so the caramel doesn’t slide off. Make the caramel while the donuts bake for efficient multitasking. Use a piping bag for clean, even filling of the donut cavities.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked donuts, apple cider donuts, salted caramel, fall baking, quick donuts, 30-minute recipe, cinnamon sugar donuts

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/quick-baked-salted-caramel-apple-cider-donuts-easy-30-min-recipe/