Name: Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe: 2 Unforgivable Sins
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) apple cider; 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon apple pie spice; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (120ml) milk, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar for topping; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping; 3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice for topping; 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted for topping

Easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe

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Okay, friends, let’s talk fall. And more importantly, let’s talk donuts! I don’t know about you, but something about that crisp autumn air just screams for apple cider and warm, sugary treats. I’ve always been a *little* obsessed with those perfect bakery donuts, you know, the kind that are just begging to be dunked in a steaming cup of coffee?

Well, I decided I needed to bring that bakery magic home, but without all the fuss (and, let’s be honest, the deep frying!). That’s how this easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe was born. Seriously, if I can do it, *anyone* can. It’s ridiculously simple, even if you’re a total beginner in the kitchen.

Trust me, you don’t need any fancy equipment or years of baking experience to whip up these babies. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, which means you can totally justify eating, like, three. Okay, maybe four. But the *best* part? They come together so quickly, you can have a batch ready before the leaves even start changing color. So grab your apron and let’s get baking!

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Quick and Easy Baking

Seriously, who has hours to spend making donuts? Not me! That’s why I made sure this recipe is super speedy. We’re talking minimal effort for maximum donut deliciousness. Perfect for when you need a quick baking win!

Perfect Fall Flavors

Okay, close your eyes and imagine…warm cinnamon, sweet apple cider…mmm! These donuts are like autumn in every single bite. My favorite part is how the spices just fill your kitchen with the coziest smell ever.

Healthier Alternative

Look, I’m not gonna pretend these are health food. But! Baking them instead of frying? It definitely makes them a *little* bit lighter. So you can enjoy your easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe without *quite* so much guilt. 😉

Gather Your Ingredients for This Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Alright, before we dive in, let’s make sure we have everything we need! Nothing’s worse than getting halfway through a recipe and realizing you’re missing something, am I right? So, grab these goodies, and let’s get ready to make some easy homemade baked apple cider donuts!

You’ll want to have 1 and 1/2 cups of apple cider – that’s the star! And make sure you have 2 cups of all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, bakers! Brown sugar (packed!), granulated sugar, milk, melted butter, eggs (large, at room temp!), and all those yummy spices like cinnamon and apple pie spice. Oh, and don’t forget the vanilla extract and a little salt. We need it to balance the sweetness of this easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe!

How to Make This Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Preparing the Apple Cider Reduction

Okay, first things first, we gotta reduce that apple cider! Don’t skip this step, it’s super important for that concentrated apple flavor. Just simmer it in a small saucepan over low heat. It’ll take about 20 minutes, and you’re aiming for 1/2 cup when you’re done. Let it cool for a bit – about 10 minutes should do it – before we add it to the batter. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Mixing the Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Batter

Now, let’s get our batter going! In a big bowl, whisk together all the dry stuff: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Then, pour the wet ingredients into the dry and add that reduced apple cider we worked so hard on! Whisk it all until it’s smooth. Now, here’s my little secret: I like to spoon the batter into a zipped-top bag, snip off a corner, and pipe it into the donut pan. So much easier, right?

Baking Your Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Alright, preheat that oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray your donut pan with non-stick spray. Then, fill each donut cavity about halfway with batter. Don’t overfill, or you’ll get donut volcanoes! Bake for 10-11 minutes, until the edges and tops are lightly browned. Let them cool for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. And don’t forget to re-grease the pan before baking the rest of the batter!

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Coating the Delicious Apple Cider Donuts

This is the fun part! In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice for the topping. Then, dunk each donut in melted butter – both sides! – and then generously coat it in that yummy apple spice mixture. Make sure you get every nook and cranny! I usually do this while they’re still a little warm, so the topping sticks better. Serve immediately and try not to eat them all at once. (Oops, too late!)

Tips for the Best Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Donut Pan Preparation

Okay, listen up, because this is *crucial*: Grease that donut pan like your life depends on it! I’m talking every nook and cranny. If you don’t, those gorgeous easy homemade baked apple cider donuts will stick, and you’ll end up with sad, broken donuts. And nobody wants that!

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Achieving the Perfect Texture

Here’s a little secret: Don’t overmix the batter! Seriously, just mix until everything’s *just* combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, and you’ll end up with tough donuts. We want tender, cakey easy homemade baked apple cider donuts, not hockey pucks!

Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe (high five!). Now, wanna get a little crazy? The best part about baking is that you can totally customize things to your liking! Here are a couple of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Spice Variations

Feeling adventurous? Try swapping out some of the cinnamon and apple pie spice for a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom. Seriously, a little goes a long way, but it adds such a warm, cozy flavor. My favorite part is experimenting to find new blends!

Glaze Options

Okay, the cinnamon-sugar topping is classic, but what about a glaze? A simple maple glaze would be *amazing* with these! Just whisk together some maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk until it’s nice and smooth. Or, you could even do a vanilla glaze with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Yum!

Storing Your Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts

So, you’ve made a batch of these easy homemade baked apple cider donuts, and somehow, *somehow*, you have leftovers? Wow! Here’s the deal: they’re best eaten fresh, but they’ll keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge. A quick zap in the microwave will warm them up again…if they last that long!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

Good question! These easy homemade baked apple cider donuts are definitely best fresh, but you *can* make them a few hours ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, give them a quick nuke in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up. Don’t do it too long, or they’ll get rubbery!

Can I use applesauce instead of apple cider?

Okay, so you *could* use applesauce, but honestly, it won’t be quite the same. The apple cider gives these easy homemade baked apple cider donuts that super concentrated apple flavor that we’re going for. If you’re in a pinch, though, go for it! Just don’t expect quite as much of that lovely apple cider punch.

Are these donuts suitable for freezing?

Yep, you sure can freeze these easy homemade baked apple cider donuts! Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for a month or two. To thaw, just let them sit at room temperature for a bit, or give them a quick warm-up in the microwave. Perfect for a donut emergency!

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Nutritional Information for This Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Alright, let’s talk numbers. I’m not a nutritionist, so I can’t give you super precise details. Just a heads-up: the nutrition info for this easy homemade baked apple cider donut recipe can vary *a lot* depending on the brands you use and how generous you are with that cinnamon-sugar topping! So, take any estimates with a grain of salt (or, you know, a sprinkle of cinnamon!). I’m not providing it precisely.

Ready to Bake Your Easy Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts?

Alright, my friend, you’re all set! Now go on and bake up a batch of these easy homemade baked apple cider donuts! I just know you’re gonna love them. And hey, if you try the recipe, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think! Or even better, snap a pic and share it on social media! Happy baking!