The Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts

You will go crazy over these melt-in-your-mouth, baked apple cider donuts! Filled with fall flavors such as apple cider and warm spices like cardamom and cinnamon with a hint of orange zest. The donuts are moist, fluffy, and one of the best apple cider recipes ever.

We love that these donuts are baked, just like our pumpkin donuts and banana donuts, and have a tender and moist texture. They are then brushed with melted butter and dipped in a cinnamon sugar mix.

The texture is soft, moist, and fluffy, and they are pretty simple to make. They make a great fall treat and are incredibly delicious paired with a warm cup of coffee.

So this fall, when you go apple picking, pick up some fresh apple cider from the farm to make homemade apple cider donuts.

Check out all of our brunch recipes and brunch cocktails. You will also love our monkey bread muffin recipe with cardamom, the best homemade blueberry donuts, and my favorite red velvet baked donuts!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• You don’t have to reduce the apple cider, making it easier than other recipes.

• The cardamom and orange flavor throughout are divine together. The perfect pairing!

• These are baked donuts, so no fussing with hot oil. They are much easier to make.

• They have a very tender, moist texture and delicious apple flavor.

• Brushed with melted butter and dipped in cinnamon, sugar, and cardamom, giving them the ultimate fall flavor.

• You can make them in less than 1 hour.

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

We’ll share everything you know to make the best donuts, answer questions and share our expert tips for recipe success.

If you prefer to jump to the recipe, scroll to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the recipe card.

Supplies

You will need a few tools to make this apple cider donut recipe.

• Donut Pan – This simple pan is perfect for making baked donuts.

• Mixing Bowl – Medium bowl and large bowl.

• Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Piping bag or Plastic Ziplock Bag

• Pastry Brush

Ingredient Notes

The full recipe is in the recipe card below.

All-Purpose Flour – We use King Arthur all-purpose flour for this recipe.

Baking Powder – Sodium Bicarbonate helps the donuts rise.

Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Nutmeg – These spices are key for flavor. The cardamom in the dipping sugar is especially important in this recipe, so make sure you add it!

Brown Sugar – Give the donuts a molasses flavor.

Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the recipe.

Orange Zest – Adds a subtle orange flavor to the donuts.

Apple Cider – Use real apple cider for this recipe. No need to reduce it. There is nothing better than fresh apple cider for this recipe. It gives them the best apple cider flavor.

Buttermilk – Gives the donuts a super moist texture.

Vanilla Extract -Enhances the flavors in the recipe.

Butter – Unsalted butter creates a tender and moist donut and adds more flavor.

Eggs – Stabilizes the donuts and adds structure to the recipe.

Step-by-Step Directions For Apple Cider Donuts

Here is everything you need to know to bake the best donuts ever!

• Combine Liquid Ingredients – Combine buttermilk, apple cider, and vanilla extract in a measuring cup.

• Combine Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, add the flour, spices, salt, baking powder, and orange zest.

• Cream Butter and Sugars – In a large mixing bowl with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and both sugars until combined.

• Add the Eggs – Beat in one egg at a time.

• Alternate Wet & Dry – With the mixer on low, slowly alternate the wet ingredients with the dry until the ingredients are mixed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

• Prepare – Preheat the oven and butter the donut pan.

• Piping Bag – Add half of the batter into a piping bag. If you don’t have a piping bag, the corner of a plastic Ziplock will work. Cut a 2-inch hole at the end and then pipe the batter into the donut pan.

• Bake – In a preheated 350-degree oven, bake the donuts for 15-18 minutes. Check after 15 minutes. If they are still sticky on the top, bake for another few minutes. They will be a very light golden brown.

• Dipping – Melt the butter in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, add cinnamon, sugar, and cardamom. Stir the mixture together.

When the donuts come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter and dip them in the sugar mixture. Put them on a cooling rack to cool.

How To You Keep Apple Cider Donuts Fresh

Don’t have enough room in your stomach for another apple cider donut? Fear not. There are a few ways to store your delicious treats until you’re ready for round two.

1. Store 

Store your apple cider donuts in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature. That way, your donuts will keep fresh for one to two days. Keep them out of direct sunlight and give them a quick microwave blast when it’s time to eat. 

2. Refrigerate 

To keep your donuts fresh for longer, store them in the refrigerator. This will give them up to five days of freshness.

Make sure the plastic bag or container is completely sealed, and there is no air is trapped inside. And when you’re ready to dig in, all they need is a quick ten-second zap in the microwave. 

3. Freeze

For the best long-term storage solution, wrap your donuts in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer in an airtight container. Your donuts will stay fresh for around three months and can be enjoyed once thawed overnight or in the microwave. 

Apple Cider Donut Recipe Variations

Looking for a few recipe variations? Check out these below:

• Dip them in a light glaze instead of cinnamon and sugar.

• Use lemon or lime zest to replace orange zest.

• Switch out the ground spices to the ones you love.

Expert Tips For Making This Recipes

• Always use whole, organic ingredients when possible.

• Use pure vanilla extract.

• Don’t over-bake the donuts.

• Use a piping bag to fill the donut pan for less mess.

• Use a muffin tin if you don’t have a donut pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Are Apple Cider Donuts Different From Regular Donuts?

Apple cider donuts are different from your average Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme Donuts. These run-of-the-mill donuts are sugar bombs that will put you in a food coma before you know it.

Don’t get us wrong, apple cider donuts are sweet, but they’re also complex. They combine rich spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with tangy apple cider that gives it a crisp punch.

Unlike other donuts, these bad boys are best served warm and enjoyed on your front porch on a leafy fall day. 

What Kind of Pan Do I Need?

You’ll need a donut pan to bake the best donuts possible. A donut pan will ensure even baking and produce a perfectly round shape. They are available in different sizes, ranging from a tray of four up to twenty. 

Most donut pans are made from steel or silicone. If you are using a steel pan, make sure it’s nonstick so you can easily pop your apple cider donuts out. 

And if you don’t have a donut pan, get one! If you’re like us and bake donuts all the time, there’s nothing better than whipping out your donut pan and baking to your heart’s content. 

What to Serve With Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Of course, our apple cider donuts are perfect on their own. But why not get in the fall spirit and jazz it up with something extra? Try pairing them with: 

• Vanilla Ice Cream or Apple Butter

• A Warm Pot of Coffee

• Apple Cider Punch 

• Snickerdoodle Coffee

• Apple Cider Moscow Mule or Apple Pie Moonshine 

• Or try it with any of our apple cider cocktail recipes and make your Thanksgiving one your guests won’t forget!

When to Serve

It’s always a good time to serve fresh-baked donuts! We love to enjoy these in the morning or for an afternoon snack. The entire kitchen will smell like spices and apples. They’re also great for any of these occasions:

• Fall Harvest Party
• Halloween Party
• Pumpkin Carving Party
• Fall Tea Party
• Baby Shower

They’re also great just hanging out by a campfire too!

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

If you love these baked donuts as much as we do, try these recipes:

Upside-Down Apple Cake

The Best Apple Crisp

Carmel Apple Crumble Bars

Apple Mountain Pies

The Best Old-Fashioned Apple Cake

You can trust us when we say this baked apple cider donut recipe is a top-tier delicacy for the fall season.  

Moist, fluffy, and completely flavorsome, you’ll wow your guests (and yourself) with our easy apple cider donut recipe. 

If you make this easy baked apple cider donuts recipe, please leave a comment and review below. We’d love to know your thoughts!

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