There’s something magical about fall—the crisp air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and of course, the scent of warm spices wafting through the kitchen. That’s where these baked apple cider donuts come in. Soft, fluffy, and rolled in spiced sugar, they’re the kind of treat that instantly makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a mug of cider.
The best part? These donuts are baked, not fried, which means less mess and a lighter bite (so yes, you can totally justify having more than one). They’ve got all the nostalgic charm of the orchard stand donuts you’d pick up after apple picking, but with the ease of making them right at home.
Whether you’re craving homemade donuts for a cozy weekend breakfast, looking for a crowd-pleasing fall dessert, or just want to make your house smell like a cinnamon-sugar wonderland, this recipe delivers. Think of them as little golden rings of autumn joy.
So grab your mixing bowls, simmer down some cider, and let’s whip up these irresistible baked treats.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Apple Cider Donuts
-
They’re baked, not fried—less oil, less guilt.
-
Packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
-
Perfectly sweet without being heavy.
-
The sugar coating gives them that authentic “orchard donut” finish.
-
Quick and easy—ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Donuts:
-
1 1/2 cups apple cider
-
1 egg
-
1/2 cup milk
-
3 tbsp melted butter
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
-
1/3 cup granulated sugar
-
1/3 cup brown sugar
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1 tsp baking powder
-
1/2 tsp baking soda
-
1/4 tsp nutmeg
-
1/8 tsp cardamom
For the Sugar Topping:
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
1/2 cup melted butter
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1/2 tsp cardamom
-
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Step-By-Step Instructions
-
Reduce the cider: In a saucepan, simmer apple cider until reduced to about 1/3 cup syrup. Cool completely.
-
Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk egg, both sugars, butter, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
-
Mix the dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
-
Combine: Gently fold dry into wet, then stir in reduced cider. Don’t over-mix.
-
Bake: Grease a donut pan and fill molds halfway. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
-
Sugar coat: Cool 5 minutes, then brush donuts with melted butter and roll in spiced sugar mixture.
-
Serve: Best enjoyed warm with a mug of apple cider (or coffee if you’re like me).
Tips for Perfect Spiced Donuts
-
Don’t skip the cider reduction. It intensifies the apple flavor so your donuts taste orchard-fresh.
-
Use a piping bag. It makes filling the donut pan quick and neat.
-
For extra crunch, double-coat in sugar (no judgment here).
-
Make-ahead friendly. Bake the donuts, but roll in sugar topping right before serving for maximum freshness.
A Little Story from My Kitchen
I’ll never forget the first time I brought home a dozen orchard donuts after apple picking. My kids devoured half the box before we even got home, and the sugar dusting ended up all over the car seats (worth it).
That memory inspired me to recreate the same flavors in a homemade donut that didn’t require a deep fryer. After a little experimenting, I found that reducing the cider gave me the bold, cozy flavor I was missing. Now, these spiced donuts are our go-to treat whenever the leaves start turning.
What to Serve with Baked Apple Cider Donuts
These donuts shine all on their own, but they pair beautifully with warm drinks. Think apple cider, chai tea, or a pumpkin spice latte for peak fall vibes.
If you’re hosting brunch, serve them alongside scrambled eggs or a simple fruit salad to balance the sweetness. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two donuts (yes, donut ice cream sandwiches!) is pure heaven.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 5 days. If they lose their sugar sparkle, just re-roll in the spiced sugar topping before serving.
To reheat, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds. They’ll taste just as fresh as when they came out of the oven. Pro tip: always reheat before serving—warm donuts are non-negotiable.
FAQs About Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Can I make these without a doughnut pan?
Yes! Use a muffin tin—they’ll be more like doughnut muffins, but still delicious.
Can I use apple juice instead of cider?
Not recommended—cider has that tangy, rich flavour that makes the doughnuts shine.
Can I freeze these?
Absolutely! Freeze baked (but uncoated) doughnuts for up to 2 months. Thaw, warm, then roll in sugar topping.
Do they taste like fried doughnuts?
They’re lighter, but the spiced sugar coating gives you that same indulgent feel without the oil.
Fall in Love with Every Bite
At the end of the day, baked apple cider donuts are the ultimate way to celebrate fall. They’re easy, cosy, and bursting with spiced apple goodness. Whether you’re serving them at a brunch, sneaking one with your morning coffee, or making a batch after apple picking, they’ll disappear faster than falling leaves in the wind.
So go ahead, make these baked treats part of your seasonal tradition—you might just find yourself baking them all year long.
Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.
Print
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Baked Apple Cider Donuts are the ultimate fall treat—soft, fluffy, and infused with warm spices, then rolled in spiced sugar for that authentic orchard donut feel. They’re baked instead of fried, making them lighter, less messy, and easy to enjoy all season long. Perfect with a mug of cider, coffee, or tea, these cozy donuts are ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
-
1 ½ cups apple cider
-
1 egg
-
½ cup milk
-
3 tbsp melted butter
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
-
⅓ cup granulated sugar
-
⅓ cup brown sugar
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1 tsp baking powder
-
½ tsp baking soda
-
¼ tsp nutmeg
-
⅛ tsp cardamom
For the Sugar Topping:
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
½ cup melted butter
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
½ tsp cardamom
-
½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
-
Reduce the cider: Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until reduced to about ⅓ cup syrup. Cool completely.
-
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk egg, both sugars, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
-
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
-
Combine: Gently fold dry mixture into wet, then stir in reduced cider. Do not overmix.
-
Bake: Grease a donut pan and fill molds halfway. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
-
Sugar coat: Cool for 5 minutes, then brush donuts with melted butter and roll in spiced sugar mixture.
-
Serve: Enjoy warm with apple cider, coffee, or tea.
Notes
Reducing cider intensifies the flavor—don’t skip it.
Use a piping bag for neat, easy pan filling.
Double-coat in sugar for extra crunch.
Best served warm—reheat before eating for maximum coziness.
Freeze uncoated donuts up to 2 months; thaw, reheat, then roll in sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Breakfast Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American