Apple Cinnamon Donuts Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Donuts Recipe

These are soft apple cinnamon baked donuts, made with apple cider, cinnamon sugar coating, and apple cider glaze for maximum apple flavor.

BESTIES. Baked apple cider donuts are my favorite thing to make for fall breakfast or Halloween brunch. This is an old-fashioned baked apple cider donut recipe, with no mixer, rolling pin, donut cutter, or yeast required. They’re the perfect quick and easy fall treat to make.

After testing this recipe several times, I found the perfect combination of brown sugar and apple cider to make the perfect apple orchard donuts. It takes a little time to reduce the apple cider, but it’s worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Taste: Apple cider, cinnamon, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating.
• Ease: Mix ingredients, pipe into a pan, bake, and glaze.
• Time: About 20 minutes to reduce cider and 10–12 minutes to bake.

Apple Cider Donuts – Definition & Variants

• Apple cider donuts: Cake-style donuts with reduced cider flavor.
• Baked apple donuts: Lighter texture using applesauce or fresh apples.
• Fried apple donuts: Richer donuts with crisp exterior.

Tip: Mix the remaining ingredients while the apple cider is reducing.

Key Ingredients

• Apple cider: Use cider, not vinegar. Apple juice works in a pinch.
• Brown sugar: Adds rich flavor.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Keeps donuts moist.

Substitutions & Variations

• Apple juice and Greek yogurt can replace cider and sour cream.

Instructions

1. Boil apple cider for 20–25 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Cool.

2. Combine dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

3. Whisk sour cream, egg, vanilla, melted butter, and cooled cider.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.

5. Pipe batter into donut pans and bake 11–12 minutes.

6. Brush donuts with butter, coat with cinnamon sugar, and drizzle with icing.

Storage & Freezing

Storage: Keep in a single layer for 1–2 days at room temperature or 3–4 days refrigerated.

Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts, thaw, then glaze before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I freeze donuts before or after glazing? Freeze before glazing.

Can I use apple juice? Yes, reduce it properly for stronger flavor.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Author: Sara Smith

These are fluffy baked apple cinnamon donuts made with apple cider, cinnamon sugar coating, and apple cider glaze.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 230 kcal

Equipment

• 2 donut pans
• Large pastry bag

Ingredients

For the Donuts

• 2 cups apple cider, reduced to ¾ cup
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons melted butter

For the Cinnamon Sugar

• 4 tablespoons butter
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Related: Hot Shrimp Dip Recipe
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

For the Icing

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease donut pans.
2. Reduce apple cider to ¾ cup and cool.
3. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
4. Whisk wet ingredients and cider in another bowl.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients and pipe into pans.
6. Bake 11–12 minutes until done.
7. Dip donuts in butter, coat with cinnamon sugar, and drizzle icing.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Best served warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 230 kcal • Carbohydrates: 41g • Protein: 3g • Fat: 6g • Sugar: 24g