Go Back
- 2 cups apple cider - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt Using fresh apple cider is key. It gives the donuts a rich flavor. The natural sweetness and tartness in fresh cider make these donuts special. Store-bought cider often lacks this fresh taste. - 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling) - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for rolling) For the coating, mix the sugar with ground cinnamon. This blend adds sweetness and warmth. Choose high-quality cinnamon for a bolder flavor. Look for Ceylon cinnamon if you want a sweeter taste. Avoid cheap cinnamon, as it can taste dull. To make the best apple cider donuts, start by reducing the cider. Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat until it boils. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer. You want to cook it down until you have about 1 cup left. This should take around 10 to 15 minutes. After reducing, remove it from the heat. Let it cool completely before using. Cooling is key to getting the right flavor in your donuts. Measure the cooled cider carefully to ensure you have the right amount. Next, mix the batter. In a big bowl, whisk your cooled apple cider with granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Make sure everything is smooth and well combined. In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these until they are well mixed. Now, it’s time to combine the mixtures. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Gently fold them together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense donuts, which we definitely want to avoid! Now, let’s bake! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan with non-stick spray or softened butter to help the donuts release easily. Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full. This allows enough space for the donuts to rise. Place the filled pan in the oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a donut. If it comes out clean, they are ready! Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important for the right texture. To make your apple cider donuts light and fluffy, follow these key techniques: - Use fresh apple cider: Fresh cider has more flavor and moisture. It boosts the taste of your donuts. - Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until just combined. Overmixing makes the donuts dense and tough. - Fold gently: When you combine wet and dry ingredients, be gentle. This keeps the batter airy. Common mistakes to avoid: - Skipping the cider reduction: Reducing the cider enhances the flavor. Don’t rush this step. - Not greasing the pan well: A well-greased donut pan helps the donuts release easily after baking. Apple cider donuts pair well with many drinks and toppings. Here are some of my favorite ideas: - Beverages: Enjoy these donuts with hot apple cider, coffee, or chai tea. The warm drinks complement the flavors well. - Toppings: Top with a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty twist. When serving, warm donuts are the best. They taste fresh and soft right out of the oven. If you have leftovers, cool them completely and store them in an airtight container. They stay soft for about three days. {{image_4}} You can make these apple cider donuts even more special. Try adding flavors like caramel or chocolate. Both options give a rich taste that pairs well with cinnamon. For caramel, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the donuts. For chocolate, melt chocolate chips and dip half of each donut. This will add a fun twist! You can also adjust spices in the recipe. If you love ginger, add a pinch of ground ginger. If you prefer a spicier kick, try adding a bit more cinnamon or nutmeg. Adjusting spices lets you make these donuts your own. To make vegan apple cider donuts, you can easily swap some ingredients. Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. To make one flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it gets thick. Replace the melted butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. This keeps the donuts moist and tasty. You can also use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk. Baking time may change slightly. Keep an eye on the donuts. They might need an extra minute or two, so check for doneness by using a toothpick. Make sure it comes out clean! To keep your apple cider donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps keep moisture in and prevents them from drying out. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you stack them. This step keeps them from sticking together. - Use a plastic or glass container with a tight seal. - Avoid exposing donuts to direct sunlight or heat. - Store at room temperature for up to three days. When you want to enjoy leftover donuts, reheating them carefully is key. The best method is using an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm the donuts for about 5 minutes. This keeps them soft and slightly crisp. - For a quicker method, use a microwave. Heat each donut for 10-15 seconds. - Serve warm with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar for a fresh taste. - Avoid reheating multiple donuts at once in the microwave to prevent sogginess. You can check if your donuts are done by using a toothpick. Insert it into the center of a donut. If it comes out clean, your donuts are fully baked. Another sign is the color; they should be golden brown. The donuts should spring back when lightly touched. If they feel dense or sink, they may need more time. Yes, you can use regular sugar, but the taste will change. Brown sugar adds moisture and a rich flavor. This makes the donuts more tender and gives them a hint of caramel. If you use regular sugar, the donuts may be less soft and have a lighter taste. To make these donuts gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best texture. You may need to adjust the liquid in the batter slightly. Start with a bit less apple cider and add more if needed to reach the right consistency. This blog post covered how to make delicious apple cider donuts. You learned about essential ingredients, like fresh apple cider and the proper cinnamon sugar coating. I detailed step-by-step instructions from preparing cider to baking. Also, tips for fluffiness, variations, and storage were shared. Remember, fresh ingredients make a big difference. Enjoy your donuts warm, and feel free to experiment with flavors. Happy baking!

Apple Cider Donuts Cinnamon Sugar

Savor the taste of fall with these homemade Apple Cider Donuts in Cinnamon Sugar! Made with fresh apple cider and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mix, these donuts are fluffy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Easy to make and incredibly delicious, you won’t want to miss out on this recipe. Click through to discover how to whip up your own batch of these delightful treats! #AppleCiderDonuts #FallBaking #HomemadeDonuts #CinnamonSugar
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

2 cups apple cider

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Instructions
 

Reduce the Cider: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple cider to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and allow it to slowly cook down until the volume is reduced to about 1 cup; this should take approximately 10-15 minutes. Once reduced, remove from heat and let it cool completely.

    Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a donut pan with non-stick spray or softened butter to ensure easy release after baking.

      Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled reduced apple cider, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

        Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly distributed.

          Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, gently folding the batter together until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix, as this could result in dense donuts.

            Fill the Donut Pan: Using a spoon or a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, carefully fill each cavity of the donut pan with batter, making sure to fill them about 2/3 full to allow space for rising.

              Bake: Place the filled donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.

                Cool: After baking, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, using a fork or your hands, gently transfer the donuts to a wire rack to cool completely.

                  Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. When the donuts are still slightly warm, roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they are fully coated for that delicious sweet layer.

                    Serve: Indulge in your delicious apple cider donuts while they are fresh and warm! Alternatively, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them soft and flavorful.

                      Prep Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 40 mins | Yields: 12 donuts