Baking my grandma’s apple cider doughnuts always takes me back to my childhood. The warm smell of apples and cinnamon filled her kitchen, making it feel like the coziest place on earth. With their lightly crisp edges and soft, cider-infused centers, these doughnuts bring back those sweet memories in every bite.
Watch my video below for a simple, step-by-step guide to creating these delicious apple cider doughnuts. If you enjoy it, be sure to give it a thumbs up and hit subscribe for more homemade donut recipes!
What Makes These Apple Cider Doughnuts So Special
- Real Apple Flavor: These doughnuts get their flavor from real apple cider. If you simmer it down, it gets even better.
- Baked, Not Fried: They’re baked, so they don’t feel heavy or greasy, but they’re still soft and just the right kind of fluffy.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: The coating is buttery and sweet with a little crunch—it’s honestly my favorite part.
- Cozy Spices: The cinnamon and nutmeg give them that warm, fall flavor that’s so comforting.
- Quick and Simple: You don’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment, and they come together fast.
- That Amazing Smell: While they’re baking, your kitchen smells like apples, cinnamon, and everything you love about fall.
What You’ll Need to Make Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
- 1.5 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon (1 gram) ground nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) melted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) unfiltered apple cider
- as needed none cooking oil spray
- as needed none additional melted butter for brushing
- as needed none cinnamon-sugar mixture for coating
If you’re making baked doughnuts, this sturdy, nonstick pan below, with six deep cavities is perfect for getting the job done.
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Quick note: Make sure to use apple cider, like the one below, not apple cider vinegar, for this recipe. They’re completely different, and the cider is what gives these doughnuts their sweet apple flavor!
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Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a doughnut pan with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything is evenly combined.
Top Tip: Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor. It’s naturally sweet and has a rich apple taste that’s perfect for baking.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and whisk until incorporated. Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and apple cider until the mixture is well blended.
Top Tip: If you want extra apple flavor, sprinkle a little apple pie spice into the batter along with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Step 4: Combine the Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a smooth batter forms. Be careful not to overmix—this helps keep the doughnuts tender.
Step 5: Fill the Doughnut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Using a piping bag makes this step easier and neater.
Step 6: Bake the Doughnuts
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Top Tip: Don’t skip preheating your oven! Baked doughnuts rely on the heat to rise quickly and get that light, airy texture.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touch
While the doughnuts are still warm, brush them generously with melted butter. In a shallow dish, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating, then dip each doughnut, ensuring it’s evenly covered.
Place them on a wire rack to cool slightly—or enjoy them warm if you can’t wait!
Top Tip: Store extra cinnamon-sugar coating in a jar for future use. It’s perfect for adding a sweet, spiced touch to toast, pancakes, or other baked treats!
How to Make Doughnuts Without a Doughnut Pan
Option 1: Use a Muffin Tin
Grease a muffin tin and fill each cup about two-thirds full with batter. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. You’ll get soft and fluffy “doughnut muffins” with all the same flavor.
Option 2: DIY Doughnut Pan
Make your own doughnut pan by shaping small balls or cylinders out of foil. Place them in the center of each muffin cup, then spoon the batter around the foil to form a ring shape. Bake as usual, and you’ll have homemade doughnuts without needing a special pan.
This batter is perfect for these methods, so don’t worry if it’s too runny to shape—it will bake beautifully!
Looking for the ultimate pairing? Check out my Creamy Sugar-Free Ice Cream recipe—it’s the perfect match for warm, cozy Apple Cider Doughnuts.
Grandma’s Apple Cider Doughnuts Recipe
12
servings15
minutes10
minutes250
kcal25
minutesThese soft and spiced apple cider doughnuts are baked, not fried, making them light and fluffy with the warm flavors of apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The cinnamon-sugar coating adds just the right amount of sweetness and crunch, making them perfect for cozy mornings or festive gatherings.
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Ingredients
2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking soda
1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
0.25 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
1.5 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon (1 gram) ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons (56 grams) melted butter
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1 large egg
0.5 cup (120 ml) milk
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
0.5 cup (120 ml) unfiltered apple cider
as needed none cooking oil spray
as needed none additional melted butter for brushing
as needed none cinnamon-sugar mixture for coating
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a doughnut pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare Dry Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In another bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and whisk until incorporated. Pour in the milk, vanilla extract, and apple cider, stirring until combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a smooth batter forms.
- Prepare Pan: Take a doughnut pan and give it a light spray with some cooking oil to stop the batter from sticking.
- Fill the Doughnut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full.
- Bake the Doughnuts: Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Brush with Butter: While still warm, brush both sides of each doughnut generously with melted butter.
- Coat Doughnuts: While the doughnuts bake, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Dip each buttered doughnut into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating evenly. Then let the doughnuts cool on a wire rack for a few minutes (if you can resist!)
- Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Measure Flour Accurately: To avoid dense doughnuts, measure your flour correctly. Use a kitchen scale for precision, or spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge.
- Use Fresh Cider: Freshly pressed, unfiltered apple cider gives the best flavor.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix until just incorporated. Overmixing can develop excess gluten, resulting in tougher doughnuts.
- Use a Piping Bag: Pour the batter into a piping bag for an easier and cleaner way to fill the pan.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow milk and egg to reach room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Add Zest: A touch of orange zest in the batter enhances the apple flavor.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 3g
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Check Out Also: Condensed Milk Doughnut Holes – My Secret Recipe Revealed!
How to Store Apple Cider Doughnuts to Keep Them Fresh
- Airtight Container: Store the doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Line the container with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigeration (Optional): If your home is warm, you can refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Before serving, let them come to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave or oven.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the doughnuts. Wrap each in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Reheating Frozen Doughnuts: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes to restore their softness and warmth.
Serving Tips for Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Warm is Best: These doughnuts are at their best when served warm. If stored, gently reheat them before eating.
- Pair with Beverages: Serve with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or warm apple cider for a perfect pairing.
- Dust with Extra Sugar: For added sweetness, dust them with a fresh layer of cinnamon-sugar just before serving.
- Dessert Option: Top with a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert.
- Make a Doughnut Tower: Stack the doughnuts on a cake stand and serve them as a centerpiece for brunch or gatherings.
If you’re baking this old fashioned apple cider donut recipe and need tips, or if you just want to share how they turned out, leave a comment here or on YouTube. I’m always here to chat and help out. I can’t wait to hear from you! – Jen