Tender cider spiced donuts (Printable version)
Tender spiced donuts with apple cider and cinnamon sugar coating, perfect for fall treats.
# Ingredient List:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 1 cup apple cider
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Coating
13 - 1 cup granulated sugar
14 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
15 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How to Make It:
01 - Simmer apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
02 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two standard donut pans thoroughly.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly blended.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, melted and cooled butter, reduced apple cider, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
05 - Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined; avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
06 - Spoon or pipe the batter evenly into the prepared pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until donuts spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
08 - Allow the donuts to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
09 - In a shallow bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating.
10 - While the donuts are still slightly warm, brush each with melted butter and immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They taste like you spent all morning in an orchard, but you made them in under an hour.
- The baked version is tender and never dense, which honestly surprised me the first time.
- One donut and hot coffee becomes a moment, not just breakfast.
02 -
- The reduced cider is non-negotiable—it concentrates the flavor and prevents a watery batter that bakes up heavy.
- Don't overmix once the wet and dry ingredients meet, or you'll end up chewing instead of biting.
- Coating them warm makes the cinnamon sugar adhere perfectly, but wait just long enough that they don't fall apart in your hands.
03 -
- If you can find apple cider concentrate at the store, use it straight—it saves the simmering step and packs even more flavor.
- A donut pan with a release button is worth its weight in gold; it makes unmolding impossible to mess up and keeps your donuts whole.