No need to make a special trip to the apple orchard - these homemade baked apple cider donuts are the real deal. The recipe uses reduced apple cider in the batter and the glaze for maximum flavor, and the entire donut is coated in cinnamon sugar for the perfect crunch.
Course Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple cider, baked donuts
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 8donuts
Author katiebirdbakes.com
Ingredients
For the Baked Apple Cider Donuts:
1cup (236 ml)apple cider(see instructions below)*
3Tablespoons (42g)unsalted butter
1/4cup (50g)granulated sugar
1large egg
2Tablespoons (40g)plain Greek yogurt
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
1cup (125g)all-purpose flour
1/2teaspooncinnamon
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
Pinchground nutmeg
Pinchground cloves
Pinchsalt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
3Tablespoons (42g)unsalted butter
Remaining reduced cider (see instructions below), about 2 tbsp
1/2cup (100g)sugar
1 and 1/2teaspoonscinnamon
Instructions
For the Baked Apple Cider Donuts:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 6-cup donut pans (or one, you'll just have to re-use it for the last couple donuts).
Reduce the apple cider: In the microwave in a 2-cup glass measuring cup or bowl covered in plastic wrap or wax paper, heat cider on high for 8-10 minutes until reduced to 1/2 cup (118 ml). Alternatively, on the stove, heat the apple cider over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a gentle boil. Continue to simmer, stirring every minute or two, until it is reduced by about half, around 10 minutes.
Once cider is reduced, whisk in the butter until it is melted and combined, and set mixture aside for a few minutes to cool. It will be a little syrupy in texture. You need 1/2 cup (118 ml) of this reduced cider/butter mixture for the donuts, and 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) for the glaze.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup (118 ml) of the reduced cider/butter mixture, sugar, egg, yogurt, and vanilla until well-combined.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients - flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet, and stir to combine with a large spoon or spatula. Stir until the ingredients are just combined, with no big patches of flour. Do not over mix - if you do, the donuts will be tough, and no one wants that.
Spoon the batter into the donut cavities, or pipe them in by filling a gallon-sized bag with the batter, then snipping off a corner for a makeshift pastry bag. Fill each cavity about 2/3 of the way full, or else your donuts won't have holes in the middle! The recipe yields 8 donuts, so if you only have one donut pan, you'll have to bake the first 6 and then the other 2 afterwards.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, until risen and browned on the edges (mine were done at 10). Set aside to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to a wire rack set over parchment paper or a baking sheet. Bake the remaining two donuts now if you only have one pan.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
While the donuts are baking, melt 3 Tablespoons (42g) of butter in a small bowl (big enough to dip the donuts in). Whisk in the remaining 2 Tbsp of reduced cider/butter mixture from the beginning of the recipe. In another similar-sized bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon.
One by one, dip one side of the warm donuts (you should be able to handle them easily) into the butter/cider mixture, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Make sure to coat the donuts with as much cinnamon sugar as desired!
Notes
Storage: Donuts are best eaten the same day, although they will keep for up to two days, covered tightly and stored at room temperature. Baked donuts can also be frozen, wrapped tightly in plastic, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and enjoy.*NOTE: use American-style apple cider for this recipe, NOT fizzy alcoholic cider. The most similar thing is apple juice if you can't find apple cider!These are the donut pans I use and love. They're dishwasher-safe!Adapted from my Baked Banana Donuts.