These easy, baked apple cider donuts with cinnamon and sugar topping can be freshly made at home in under 30 minutes and are perfect for a cozy fall breakfast or snack.
Welcome to another Pinterest Challenge, hosted by Cindy from County Road 407! With the holidays headed our way, this month we’re helping you get ready with a collection of recipes perfect for family gatherings!
If you’re stopping by from A Stroll Thru Life, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Weren’t Marty’s tips for hosting a small Thanksgiving gathering so helpful?
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Baked Apple Cider Donuts
“Houseguest season” is quickly approaching as we head into the holiday months.
We joke about our home being “The Silverado Bed & Breakfast”, but that’s because I want to make houseguests feel welcome and give them a chance to relax when visiting us.
I like to have several easy breakfast and brunch recipes in my recipe box to serve to guests. What better way to create a lovely morning for your guests than to greet them with fresh coffee and warm donuts right out of the oven?
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon and sugar topping can be ready to serve in under 30 minutes. Bonus: Not only do they taste amazing, but your whole house will smell so cozy and inviting!
They are perfect for breakfast, and leftovers can be reheated in the microwave for a few seconds for a delicious afternoon snack.
Donut Pan
To make these baked apple cider donuts, the most essential piece of equipment is a donut pan. I was lucky enough to find three of these gorgeous Nordic Ware donut pans at a thrift store. Score!
If you don’t already have donut pans, you can find several different options on Amazon:
- These beautiful Nordic Ware pans with handles are the ones I have.
- Nordic Ware also makes this slightly less expensive donut pan.
- Although I’m partial to Nordic Ware, these pans come in a set of two for a great price.
Homemade Donuts
You likely have most of the ingredients on hand for this apple cider donut recipe. Just grab a jug of your favorite apple cider and you’re ready to go.
I used this spiced cider from Trader Joe’s this time, but we also love the gallon jugs of cider from Costco. If you’re apple picking, grab a jug of fresh apple cider from the apple orchard!
(In a pinch, you could use apple juice, but your donuts won’t have quite as much apple flavor as they do with the cider. If you do use apple juice, I’d add a bit of apple pie spice for additional fall flavors.)
Grease the Pans
For best results, it’s important to thoroughly grease your donut pans so that the warm donuts will release from the pan after baking. I love this Pam cooking spray with flour. My cakes always release nicely when I use it.
Prepare the Batter
Begin by creaming the butter and sugars in your stand mixer until nice and fluffy. Then add the vanilla, followed by the eggs one at a time.
Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until well incorporated.
Finally, slowly stream in the apple cider with the mixer still running until you get a thick batter.
Carefully spoon the donut batter into the donut pans, filling them about 3/4 full. To make this easier, you could use a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner cut off.
Bake
Bake at 350 degrees for about 14 minutes. Allow them to cool in the pans for about 5 minutes before unmolding. I tipped mine onto a wire rack over a piece of parchment paper to contain the crumbs and the cinnamon and sugar topping that comes next.
This recipe makes a dozen delicious donuts, so I filled two pans that each had 6 donut cavities. If you only have one pan, just bake 6 at a time, allow the pan to cool, and then bake the remaining 6 donuts.
Cinnamon and Sugar Coating
The cinnamon and sugar coating makes these fresh donuts extra special! Brush each donut with a little bit of melted butter and then immediately dredge in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple cider
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 2 donut pans ( 6 cavities each) with nonstick spray. Add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream 10 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy--approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well incorporated after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until blended. Slowly add the apple cider a little at a time, mixing to combine.
Spoon the batter into greased donut pans, filling them about ⅔ full. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean--approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through for more even baking.
While the donuts are baking, mix the remaining ½ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl. Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Unmold the donuts from the pans after cooking for 5 minutes. Then, brush with the melted butter and dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm.
May be served immediately, or let cool to room temperature. These warm nicely in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if serving later.
Notes
Tip: For an even stronger apple cider flavor, reduce cider on the stove until concentrated. A 1/2 cup of the concentrated apple cider adds an even deeper fall flavor.
I used these Nordic Ware donut pans (affiliate link).
There are so many types of homemade cake donuts that can be made in these pans– the possibilities are endless. My family enjoyed these homemade apple cider donuts so much, that I plan to put my Nordic Ware donut pans to work again soon with some pumpkin donuts.
Hop over to see the next amazing recipe from Lora Bloomquist– Pear and Gorgonzola Salad. I’m adding the ingredients for this delicious fall salad to my shopping list right now.
Plus, check out more fall treats by visiting all 13 of the amazing Pinterest Challenge recipes linked below!
–> I invite you to also follow over on Instagram where I share more great posts like this one, plus day-to-day life and adventures!
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These would satisfy my donut cravings! Thank you so much for joining Fiesta Friday party! Hope to see you next week!
We sure enjoy featuring your awesome post this week on Full Plate Thursday, 667! Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope you come back to see us again, real soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much, Helen. I’m thrilled!
I love apple cider donuts!! These look so easy to make! Visiting from the Sundays on Silverado party. Have a great week!
This recipe convinced me to finally buy the donut pan to make these awesome beauties.
I visited you via BFF Open House
I linked up this week with = 46+47. Come and join us Mon – Saturday at SeniorSalonPitStop as well as #WordlessWednesday #Photography Wednesday – Saturday. You will find the info under BLOGGING
Nicky, it’s been years since I made doughnuts and those were fried. I love the idea of baking them. The Apple cider definitely would give them a brighter flavor.
Our family loves donuts, so they will love your recipe. Can’t wait to give it a try.
oh my goodness these look fabulous — and not fried — yippee!!! These will be so good this holiday season.
Oh my, Niky!!! Cinnamon donuts were what my mom and dad would fry up every once in a while when we were kids… I can’t wait to make these when our son and his family come down to visit. I think our grandson would enjoy helping me fill the donut pans. I have little bundt cake pans but I’ll have to look for donut pans. 😉
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing your recipe. <3 Pinned as always.
Happy fall hugs,
Barb
Yes, this would be such a fun recipe to make with your grandson! I’ve acquired many Nordic Ware pans in fun designs just for the purpose of baking with my grandchildren!
I knew I shouldn’t be fasting when I’m reading all these amazing recipes! These doughnuts sound so good; think I need a couple doughnut pans, too! Always love your classic, down-home recipes, Niky:)
Thank you so much, Lora!
I YI YI! I am drooling over these donuts. I even have a donut pan and am excited to make these. Thanks for the recipe, Niky! I am also going to share these in my next share post.
I’m so glad you liked the recipe. It will be perfect for use in your donut pan!
Breakfast and brunch? Piffle! I say breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner! I could seriously eat these all dang day and be happy. Thanks for sharing it with us. pinned
Haha, you’re a girl after my own heart! Donuts all day, everyday!
I’m so excited to have this recipe! I think the grand littles will love these homemade donuts! They look delicious Niky!!
I agree! I have so many fun Nordic Ware pans that I’m excited to use for baking with my grandchildren!
Niky these look SO good! I like the idea of baking the donuts. (I’m a Gigi too. It’s short for Grandma Gunn GG 🙂
This is the perfect recipe for Gigis to bake with their grands!
I love apple cider donuts any time of the year but most especially during the fall season. They always taste like a warm hug! Can’t wait to try your recipe. Hugs, CoCo
Oh my goodness, these sound delicious. Perfect for Fall. Hugs and blessings to you.