Baked Apple Cider Donuts: A Cozy Treat for Autumn Mornings
As the leaves change color and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like a warm, freshly baked donut infused with the rich flavors of autumn. These Baked Apple Cider Donuts, topped with a delightful spiced sugar coating, capture the essence of the season with their deep apple taste and a hint of spice. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or a comforting snack, these donuts are sure to become a fall favorite.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- Apple Cider: 1.5 cups, reduced to ⅓ cup
- Large Egg: 1
- Granulated Sugar: ⅓ cup
- Brown Sugar: ⅓ cup
- Unsalted Butter: 3 tablespoons, melted (or melted coconut oil)
- Milk: ½ cup (whole or 2%)
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 ¾ cups
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon
- Cinnamon Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Nutmeg Powder: ¼ teaspoon
- Cardamom Powder: ⅛ teaspoon
For the Spiced Sugar Topping:
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Cinnamon Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Nutmeg Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Cardamom Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup, melted
Directions
- Reduce the Cider:
- Pour the apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and simmer over medium heat until it’s reduced to about ⅓ cup, which should take around 20-25 minutes. Set aside to cool, forming a thick syrup.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Mix Batter:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, along with the reduced apple cider. Stir until just combined to keep the donuts tender; avoid over-mixing.
- Bake the Donuts:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a donut pan.
- Fill each donut well halfway with batter using a piping bag for easier and neater filling.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Coat:
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
- Prepare the spiced sugar topping by mixing the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a bowl.
- Brush each donut with melted butter, then roll in the spiced sugar mixture until well coated.
- Serve:
- Enjoy the donuts warm for the best flavor and texture.
Prep and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 12 donuts
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect treat to enjoy on a chilly fall morning or as a sweet snack during the day. Each bite offers a burst of apple flavor enhanced by the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, wrapped in a soft, cakey texture. Serve them fresh from the oven to capture the full delight of their warm, sugary coating. Enjoy these heavenly donuts as you watch the autumn leaves fall or share them with friends and family for a heartwarming seasonal treat.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Baked Apple Cider Donuts bring a delightful autumnal twist to your dessert table. These donuts are beautifully presented, showcasing their golden-brown exteriors and sugar-spiced crusts. The rustic appeal is enhanced when served on a simple wooden board or a vintage plate, complemented by natural elements like fall leaves or apple slices, which echo the donuts’ apple cider flavor.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
1.5 cups apple cider
1 large egg
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or melted coconut oil)
½ cup whole or 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder
For the Spiced Sugar Topping:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
½ teaspoon nutmeg powder
½ teaspoon cardamom powder
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Reduce the Cider: Pour apple cider into a nonstick saucepan and simmer over medium heat until it’s reduced to about ⅓ cup, forming a thick syrup. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
Mix Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, along with the reduced apple cider. Stir until just combined; avoid over-mixing to keep the donuts tender.
Bake the Donuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a donut pan and fill each donut well halfway with batter. Tip: Use a piping bag for easier and neater filling. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool and Coat: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove. Mix the sugar topping ingredients in a bowl. Brush each donut with melted butter, then roll in the spiced sugar mixture until well coated.
Serve: Enjoy the donuts warm for the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes