Description
These soft and flavorful baked apple cider donuts are the perfect fall treat, with warm spices and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. A healthier alternative to fried donuts, they’re perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Cider:
- In a small saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups apple cider to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, until it reduces by half. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Donut Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup applesauce, ¼ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and the 4 tablespoons melted butter.
- Pour the cooled reduced apple cider into the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fill the Donut Pan:
- Spoon the donut batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- While the donuts are cooling slightly, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl.
- In another small bowl, mix together ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Coat the Donuts:
- Once the donuts have cooled slightly (but are still warm), dip each donut in the melted butter and then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
- Serve:
- Let the donuts cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your homemade, baked apple cider donuts!
Notes
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin and make apple cider donut muffins instead!
- These donuts are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, apple cider donuts, fall donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, healthy donuts