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Cozy Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Easy Cinnamon Sugar

cozy baked apple cider donuts - featured image
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These baked apple cider donuts are tender, fluffy, and coated in a crunchy cinnamon sugar layer. Made with reduced apple cider for intense flavor, they’re a quick and easy fall treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (fresh, unfiltered)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 6-cavity donut pan generously with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until reduced to about ¼ cup. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider syrup until smooth.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined (a few lumps are fine).
  6. Fill donut pan: Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with corner snipped. Pipe batter into donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into thickest part comes out clean.
  8. Cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  9. Make coating: In a shallow bowl, mix ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Melt ¼ cup butter in another small bowl.
  10. Coat donuts: While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter, then dip into cinnamon sugar mixture, turning to coat evenly. Tap off excess.
  11. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates flavor and removes excess liquid. Be gentle when mixing to avoid dense donuts. Coat while warm for best adherence. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use melted coconut oil or vegan butter and almond/oat milk with lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, fall donuts, easy donut recipe, baked donuts

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/cozy-baked-apple-cider-donuts-with-easy-cinnamon-sugar/