Experience the essence of fall with Baked Apple Cider Donuts. A reduced apple cider syrup makes these donuts deliciously moist and flavorful. They have a soft texture, crumbly coating, and a perfect amount of sweetness. No greasy mess is required!
Can I prepare the batter the night before and bake the donuts in the morning?
I recommend preparing the batter just before baking to ensure the best results. If you prepare the batter the night before, the texture of the donuts may change.
How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
The donuts should be golden brown after 10 minutes of baking. You can also check the readiness with the toothpick inserted in the center, if it comes out clean, the donuts are done baking.
Can I freeze the baked donuts?
Yes, you can freeze these baked donuts. Let them cool completely and place them in a single layer inside a plastic bag or an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and let them thaw overnight. You can also reheat them slightly in the microwave.
Quick & Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cide
- non-stick cooking spray
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and shredded
For the cinnamon sugar topping:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apple cider reduces to ½ cup. This may take about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- When the reduced apple cider is cooled, add it to the wet ingredients along with the shredded apples. Whisk to combine. Then, pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir using a rubber spatula just until combined.
- Transfer the batter to the pastry bag. Fill each donut cup about ¾ full.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Then, transfer to a cooling rack.
- In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Dip each donut into melted butter, then, into a cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
You can make muffins instead. Fill the muffin tins to ¾ full. Baking time will change. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How can I make the donuts less sweet?
To make your donuts less sweet you can reduce the amount of light brown sugar and granulated sugar in the batter. You can also lightly dust the donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon instead of cinnamon sugar topping.
Can I make these donuts dairy-free?
Yes, you can make these donuts dairy-free by substituting whole milk with plant-based alternatives. Almond, soy, coconut or oat milk will work well.
What’s the trick to making the donuts moist and flavorful?
The trick is to use reduced apple cider. It is a concentrated syrup with a rich apple flavor that helps to create a moist texture.
What can I use if I don’t have apple pie spice?
If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can use a combination of spices that will provide a similar flavor. Add ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, and ¼ tsp cardamom instead of 1 tsp apple pie spice.
How long should I reduce the apple cider?
Bring the apple cider to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to ½ cup. This may take about 15 minutes.
What if I don’t have a piping bag to fill the donut pan?
You can use a ziplock bag or a spoon to fill the donut pan. If using a ziplock bag, cut the corner off and use it as a piping bag.
