Imagine the cozy aroma of spiced apples and cinnamon, wafting through your kitchen on a crisp autumn morning. That’s the magic you’re about to create with these incredible baked apple cider donuts. They’re cakey, warmly spiced, and utterly irresistible.

Best of all, they’re baked, not fried, making them a wonderfully simple and slightly less indulgent treat. Forget those fleeting bakery visits; this recipe brings that unforgettable fall flavor right into your home, anytime you crave it.

Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Recipe

Honestly, what’s not to love? The texture is pure bliss—dense and moist like the very best coffee cake, with a crumb that just melts in your mouth. Each bite is a perfect celebration of autumn, packed with genuine apple cider flavor and a hint of warming spice.

And the ease? You won’t believe how simple it is. No fancy mixer, no complicated steps, just a straightforward process that leads to pure donut perfection. In about an hour, you’ll have a towering plate of homemade goodness that will make you feel like a professional baker.

The Secret to Incredible Flavor

Here’s the game-changing trick: concentrated apple cider. Simply simmering regular apple cider on the stove transforms it into a powerful, syrupy reduction that packs a massive punch of flavor. It’s the difference between a subtle hint and a glorious, “wow-that’s-apple!” sensation.

You can absolutely do this step the night before, too. Just let it cool, cover it, and it’ll be ready and waiting for you in the morning, making your donut-making process even smoother and quicker.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

• Apple Cider: 1 ½ cups (you’ll reduce this down)
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups, spooned and leveled
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
• Baking Powder: ¾ teaspoon
• Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
• Apple Pie Spice: 1 teaspoon (for the batter)
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon
• Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted (for the batter)
• Egg: 1 large, at room temperature
• Brown Sugar: ½ cup, packed
• Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (for the batter)
• Milk: ½ cup, at room temperature
• Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon

For the Topping

• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
• Ground Cinnamon: ¾ teaspoon
• Apple Pie Spice: ¾ teaspoon
• Unsalted Butter: 6 tablespoons, melted

What If I Don’t Have Apple Pie Spice?

No worries at all! It’s incredibly easy to make your own blend with common pantry spices. Just whisk together one tablespoon of ground cinnamon, one teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and half a teaspoon each of ground cardamom and allspice.

This simple mix creates that signature warm, autumnal flavor profile that makes these donuts so special. You’ll have a little extra, which is great because it’s delicious in oatmeal, coffee, or on toast.

How to make Baked Apple Cider Donuts?

Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour your apple cider into a small saucepan and place it over low heat. Let it simmer gently, and you’ll need to stir it occasionally. Start checking the volume after about 10 minutes; you’re aiming to reduce it down to a concentrated ½ cup.

This process usually takes me around 20 minutes or so. Once it’s reduced, please take it off the heat and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before you use it; we don’t want it cooking the eggs in our batter!

Preheat and Prepare

Go ahead and preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (177°C). Grab your donut pan and give it a good, generous spray with non-stick cooking spray—this ensures your beautiful donuts will pop right out after baking.

Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt. Giving these dry ingredients a good whisk now ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter for a perfect rise and flavor in every bite.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla. Whisk it until it’s smooth and beautifully combined; the brown sugar will give it a lovely caramel hue.

Bring the Batter Together

Pour your wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Add the slightly cooled, reduced apple cider right in there, too. Now, whisk everything together until you have a smooth, slightly thick batter. Don’t overmix, just get it combined—a few small lumps are perfectly fine.

Fill the Donut Pan

Here’s a fantastic little trick: spoon the batter into a large zipped-top bag. Snip a corner off the bottom of the bag, and now you have a makeshift piping bag! Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling each one only about halfway.

Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-11 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are lightly springy to the touch. Let the donuts cool in the pan for just 2 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack. Then, simply re-grease your pan and bake the next batch!

Coat the Warm Donuts

While the donuts are still warm, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice for the topping in a medium bowl. Melt the butter for the topping in another bowl. Dunk each donut in the melted butter, let the excess drip off, and then roll it generously in the spiced sugar mixture.

How to Serve and Share These Donuts?

These donuts are an absolute dream served warm, alongside a steaming mug of coffee or a glass of cold milk. They are the undisputed star of any autumn brunch, Halloween morning celebration, or casual weekend breakfast.

They also make a wonderfully thoughtful gift! Stack them in a pretty box or tin and deliver them to a neighbor or friend; it’s a surefire way to spread some seasonal joy and become everyone’s favorite person.

Tips

For the absolute best flavor, use a high-quality, fresh apple cider from a local orchard if you can find it. The deeper, richer flavor of fresh-pressed cider really shines through, even after it’s reduced down.

Please, please ensure your milk and egg are at room temperature. This simple step helps them incorporate seamlessly into the batter, preventing the melted butter from solidifying and ensuring a beautifully smooth, uniform texture.

Don’t overfill your donut pan! Filling the cavities only halfway is key. The batter will puff up as it bakes, creating that classic, beautiful donut shape with a perfect hole in the middle.

Storing Your Homemade Donuts

Let’s be real, they might not last long! But if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The topping might get a little less crunchy, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love to pop a cold donut in the microwave for about 10 seconds before eating; it makes it taste freshly baked and warm all over again.

Can I Freeze These Donuts?

Absolutely, yes! These donuts freeze like a dream. You can freeze them either before or after adding the butter and sugar topping. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid first, which prevents them from sticking together later.

Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep happily for up to 2 months. When a craving hits, just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours on the counter.