Print

Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar Coating Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 65 reviews

These baked Apple Cider Donuts are soft, moist, and tender with a perfectly spiced cinnamon sugar coating. Made with apple cider, oil instead of butter for moistness, and applesauce for extra moisture, these donuts are dairy-free and easily adaptable to gluten-free flour. They deliver all the flavor and comfort of classic apple cider donuts without the hassle of frying, making them a simple and delicious fall treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Donut Batter

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/2 cup raw sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup vegan baking butter (melted), or regular melted butter if not dairy free

Instructions

  1. Reduce Apple Cider: In a saucepan, simmer 1 cup of apple cider over medium heat until it reduces and thickens slightly, intensifying the flavor. Let cool before mixing into the batter.
  2. Prepare Donut Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, mix the sugar, applesauce, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and stir gently just until fully incorporated to avoid overmixing.
  3. Fill Donut Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a non-stick donut pan. Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the tip cut off, then pipe the batter evenly into each donut cavity, filling about 3/4 full.
  4. Bake Donuts: Bake the donuts for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan until just warm enough to handle to prevent breakage.
  5. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While donuts are cooling, mix the raw sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Melt the vegan butter (or regular butter if preferred) and set aside.
  6. Coat Donuts: Dip each cooled donut briefly in the melted butter, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat thoroughly. Place coated donuts on a wire rack to set.

Notes

  • Use fresh, high-quality apple cider for best flavor, preferably fresh-pressed from an orchard.
  • Measure flour carefully with a scale or spoon and level to avoid dry, dense donuts.
  • Gently mix the batter to avoid tough donuts from overdeveloped gluten.
  • Use a piping bag to evenly fill the donut pan cavities for uniform donuts.
  • Allow donuts to cool slightly in the pan before removing to prevent breakage.
  • Cinnamon sugar coating adds delightful crunch and warmth; ensure donuts are cool enough before coating to prevent sogginess.
  • Store baked donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator; best consumed within a week.
  • To make vegan, experiment with egg replacers like flax egg or aquafaba, though results may vary.

Keywords: apple cider donuts, baked donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, dairy free donuts, gluten free donuts, fall desserts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://topreci.com/baked-apple-cider-donuts-with-cinnamon-sugar-coating-recipe/