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–+ servings

Spiced Apple Cider Baked Donuts

Abigail
These spiced apple cider baked donuts are the perfect autumn breakfast or dessert! Made with real cider and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, they're easy, healthy, and packed with cozy fall flavor. Save this recipe for your next fall baking day! Perfect for Thanksgiving brunch, bake sales, or a weekend treat. 
5 from 1 vote
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Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 184 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the donuts:

  • 1 cup fresh apple cider, reduced to 1/3 cup (see instructions)
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cake flour (or more all-purpose flour), if preferred
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of allspice
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk room temp
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp grated apple for extra moisture and apple flavor, optional

For topping:

  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

Reduce the cider:

  • In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to about 1/3 cup (roughly 15–20 min). Let cool.

Brown the butter:

  • In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Let it cool slightly.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.

Mix dry ingredients:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Mix wet ingredients:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the brown butter, both sugars, egg, reduced cider, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir in grated apple if using.

Combine:

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet and gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix — the batter will be thick.

Pipe and bake:

  • Spoon batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe into donut cavities, filling about 2/3 - 3/4 full. Do not overfill, or the donut hole may be covered.
  • Bake 10–12 minutes or until donuts spring back when touched.

Topping:

  • While warm, brush donuts with melted butter and toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 201mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 237IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
Keyword how to make baked spiced apple cider donuts
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