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:
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1 ½ cups apple cider
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1 egg
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½ cup milk
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3 tbsp melted butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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⅓ cup granulated sugar
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⅓ cup brown sugar
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1 tsp cinnamon
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp nutmeg
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⅛ tsp cardamom
For the Sugar Topping:
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1 cup granulated sugar
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½ cup melted butter
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1 tsp cinnamon
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½ tsp cardamom
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½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
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Reduce the cider: Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until reduced to about ⅓ cup syrup. Cool completely.
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Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk egg, both sugars, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
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Combine: Gently fold dry mixture into wet, then stir in reduced cider. Do not overmix.
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Bake: Grease a donut pan and fill molds halfway. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Sugar coat: Cool for 5 minutes, then brush donuts with melted butter and roll in spiced sugar mixture.
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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