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- 1 cup apple cider - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1/4 cup vegetable oil - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating) Apple cider is the star here. It gives these donuts their rich, warm flavor. Reducing the cider intensifies its taste, making each bite delightful. Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture without too much sugar. The blend of spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, gives it a cozy, autumn feel. Each ingredient plays a role in balancing taste and texture. If you lack apple cider, try using apple juice. It will still give a nice flavor. You can swap the vegetable oil for melted coconut oil or butter. For a vegan option, use flax eggs instead of a real egg. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes before using. If you want less sugar, you can cut down the brown sugar by half. The donuts will still taste great. For gluten-free donuts, use a gluten-free flour blend. First, we need to concentrate the apple cider flavor. Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it on medium until it boils. Once boiling, lower the heat to simmer. You want it to reduce to about 1/2 cup. This will take around 10-15 minutes. Let it cool a bit before using it in the recipe. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Add 1/2 cup of applesauce, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, one large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour in the reduced apple cider. Whisk everything until it's smooth and well mixed. In another bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Slowly fold the dry mix into the wet mix. Be gentle; you don’t want to over mix. Now it’s time to bake! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan. Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off. Fill each donut mold about 3/4 full with the batter. Bake for 12-15 minutes. The donuts should be golden brown. Test them with a toothpick; it should come out clean. Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then move them to a wire rack. While they are still warm, mix 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl. Toss the donuts in this mix until they are well coated. Enjoy your delicious homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts! For the full recipe, check out the details above. To get the best texture, focus on mixing. When you combine wet and dry ingredients, mix gently. Over-mixing makes donuts tough. Aim for a thick, smooth batter. This helps create a fluffy donut. Also, use a piping bag for filling the donut pan. This reduces mess and ensures even shapes. Want to boost the flavor? Add more spices! Try mixing in some ground ginger or allspice. A pinch of cloves can bring warmth, too. Each spice adds depth to your donuts. You can also replace some cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice. This gives a fun twist to your apple cider donuts. Be aware of common pitfalls. First, don’t skip reducing the apple cider. This step intensifies the flavor. Next, check your oven temperature with a thermometer. Ovens can vary, leading to undercooked or burnt donuts. Lastly, let the donuts cool slightly before coating them in sugar. This helps the sugar stick better, giving you that perfect sweet bite. For the complete recipe, refer to the Full Recipe section above. {{image_2}} You can take your baked apple cider donuts to the next level with a glaze or frosting. A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and apple cider adds sweetness and a nice shine. To make it, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of apple cider until smooth. Drizzle it over the warm donuts for a fun touch. For a richer taste, try cream cheese frosting. Just blend 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. This pairs well with the spices in the donuts and gives a creamy bite. If you want to make these donuts egg-free or vegan, it’s easy to swap out the egg. Use a flax egg by mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes until it thickens. You can also replace the vegetable oil with applesauce to keep it moist and healthy. This simple switch keeps the flavor while making it suitable for all diets. Want to mix things up? You can play with flavors! Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree for a tasty pumpkin spice twist. Just replace the applesauce with pumpkin. You can also boost the spices by adding a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients. For a fun fall treat, try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter. These variations keep the donuts fresh and exciting, perfect for any occasion. For the full recipe, check the details above! To store your baked apple cider donuts, let them cool completely first. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps the donuts fresh for up to three days. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap for extra protection. Avoid stacking the donuts to prevent them from getting squished. When you want to enjoy your donuts again, reheating is simple. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet for about five minutes. This helps restore their softness and warmth. You can also use the microwave, but heat them for only 10-15 seconds. This method works but may make them a bit chewy. If you want to save some donuts for later, freezing is a great option. Wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above. Apple cider donuts trace back to New England. They became popular in the early 20th century. Farmers created them from fresh apple cider during harvest time. The sweet smell of spices and apples filled the air. Today, they are a beloved fall treat across the United States. Yes, you can make these donuts ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to two days at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. Just reheat them in the oven before serving. To check if the donuts are done, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, they are ready. The donuts should also be golden brown on top. They will slightly spring back when touched. If they feel firm, they are perfect to take out of the oven. This blog post shared how to make apple cider donuts from start to finish. You learned about important ingredients, tips for better texture, and how to store your treats. I included fun ways to change the recipe, like making them egg-free or adding flavors. Remember, baking is all about practice and fun. Don’t rush, and enjoy each step. Now, gather your ingredients, get baking, and savor those delicious donuts!

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with these Baked Apple Cider Donuts! Made with warm spices and fresh apple cider, these treats are moist, fluffy, and oh-so irresistible. Perfect for any cozy gathering, they’re easy to make at home. Discover the simple recipe, from prepping to baking, and impress your friends and family with this seasonal favorite. Click to explore the full recipe and elevate your autumn baking today!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup apple cider

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.

    In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. This intensifies the flavor. Let it cool slightly.

      In a mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and the reduced apple cider until well combined.

        In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

          Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to over mix. The batter should be thick but smooth.

            Transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off) and fill each donut mold about 3/4 full.

              Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

                Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

                  While warm, combine the granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl, then generously toss the donuts in the mixture until fully coated.

                    - Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 12 donuts

                      - Presentation Tips: Serve the donuts warm on a wooden platter with fresh apple slices and a drizzle of honey for an inviting autumn-themed display.