Baked Apple Cider Donuts are full of warm spices, candied pecans, and a delicious maple cinnamon glaze. They're moist, soft, and so very easy to make. It's the best of the wonderful fall flavors in a perfect, little handheld treat.
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Why should you make this recipe? Oh my goodness let me count the ways. To begin, it's super simple. No mixer needed, just a whisk and a mixing bowl. These baked apple cider donuts also bake up in less than 15 minutes. You'll have a taste of fall in the palm of your hand in no time.
Now, let's talk about taste. These donuts are moist and soft. The best type of donut in my opinion. The warm spices will fill your kitchen with an aroma that will inspire you to grab your sweatpants and Uggs.
For a delicious breakfast or wonderful snack, make these. If you need an idea for a simple dessert for the holidays, make these. And, if you want to enjoy one of the world's best flavor combinations make these.
Key Ingredients
Apple Cider Concentrate - If you don't use a concentrate, the apple cider flavor is not strong enough to taste. I made it easy on myself, and also because I was feeling a little lazy, and bought the concentrate online. I found mine on Amazon and have it linked below.
Warm Spices - Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves add that quintessential spice combination that we all love. It's the combination that tastes incredible and makes your kitchen smell amazing!
Pecan, Maple Syrup, Flaky Salt - Pecans cooked in maple syrup and topped with flaky sea salt is one of my favorite ways to add flavor and texture to baked goods. I always make a little extra to top vanilla ice cream. That's a pro tip right there.
Vanilla Bean Paste - My preferred vanilla product. It's richer and more caramel-like than it's extract counterpart.
Variations and Substitutions
Nuts - Walnuts would be my suggestion for a pecan substitution. You can also leave the nuts out all together.
Spices - I keep all of these spices in the pantry at all times. If you do not and you don't bake that much, a pumpkin pie spice blend or apple pie spice would be fabulous.
If you don't want the maple glaze, simply dip the donuts into a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Do this when they're warm or brush with a little melted butter so that the sugar mixture sticks.
Tips and Tricks
Measure everything correctly. Dry ingredients need to be measuring in dry measuring cups, liquid ingredients in liquid measuring cups. It will make a difference if you don't take your time and do this part correctly.
Use room temperature ingredients. Baking 101. Any of the ingredients that are stored in the fridge need to be allowed to come up to room temp in order to allow for even baking.
Allow the baked apple cider donuts to cool before you glaze them. If you try to do that while they're hot, the glaze will slide completely off the sides and you will be sad. I don't want you to be sad.
Prepare a pot of coffee or boil the water for tea. These donuts come together quickly and will be ready for dunking in no time!
Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
Candied Pecans
- 1 cup pecans, finely diced
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- pinch of flaky sea salt
Apple Cider Donuts
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup avocado oil
- ½ cup apple cider concentrate
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Maple Cinnamon Glaze
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
Candied Pecans
- Add the pecans and maple syrup to a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir until the syrup starts to thicken just a bit. Remove the pecans from the skillet and sprinkle them with a little flaky sea salt. Set aside to cool.
Apple Cider Donuts
- Add the sugar, oil, milk, eggs, apple cider concentrate, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Whisk everything together until it's well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the AP flour, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove, baking powder and kosher salt. Whisk to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the pecans.
- Pipe the batter into a greased donut pan. I fill mine almost to the top, but not quite. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 11-13 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let them cool in the molds for about 5 minutes and onto a cooling rack for another 10-15 minutes.
Maple Cinnamon Glaze
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt and whisk until smooth.
- Take a cooled donut and dip it into the glaze so that it comes halfway up the sides of the donut. Repeat until all of the donuts are glazed.
- The glaze with set up in about 15-20 minutes and will be a little less messy while eating. Otherwise, dig in and enjoy!
Notes
- You can make the apple cider concentrate from scratch. Simply bring about one and a half cups of apple cider to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to about ½ a cup. It's very simple and doable. Once it's reduced down, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
- The easiest way to get the Apple Cider Donut batter into the donut molds is by piping it in. If you do not have piping bags, grab a large zip top bag and fill it with the batter. Snip a small piece of the corner of the bag off and you have a homemade piping bag.
- Depending on the size of your donut pan, you'll get between 12-18 donuts.
Nutrition
Serving Ideas
To me, these Baked Apple Cider Donuts are both a dessert and a breakfast. They'll be amazing served in the morning with a cup of hot coffee or tea. They're also great for a sweet treat after dinner. My kids love to have them after school for a special snack. They're good no matter what time of day.
Storage Instructions
Store the leftover baked apple cider donuts in the fridge in an airtight container for the best result. They'll last longer and stay fresher that way - for up to a week. However, never in the history of ever have we had them last that long.
You can also freeze them. I suggest baking the donuts and not adding the glaze. Let them cool completely and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw out and then add the glaze.
To warm them, heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Dunk in hot coffee. Marvel at how good life is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make apple cider concentrate from scratch?
Yes! Simply bring about one and a half cups of apple cider to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to about ½ a cup. It's very simple and doable. Once it's reduced down, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free? Dairy-free?
You can! Just swap out the all-purpose flour with a Gluten-Free all-purpose 1:1 blend. They'll turn out great!
To make the baked apple cider donuts dairy-free, just use your favorite full-fat milk alternative.
What if I don't have a donut mold pan?
No worries! You can use a muffin tin and some foil. Take 5x5 inch squares of foil and fold them in half. Fold those in half so that you're left with a long rectangle. Roll that rectangle into a short tube. Place the tube vertically in the muffin tin and pour the batter around the foil tube. The tube creates the donut hole! No need to buy a special pan for one recipe!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Baked Apple Cider Donuts recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
And, please leave a comment or star rating below. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Chocolate Tart - Simple and one of the best chocolate desserts you'll ever have. With an chocolate sandwich cookie crust, it's a huge hit around here every time!
Roasted Pork Loin - A one-skillet meal that is perfect for busy weeknights or special enough for a holiday table. With a savory yet slightly sweet glaze and roasted alongside Brussels sprouts, it's just too easy!
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