Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are everything I love about fall baking! Soft, tender cake donuts are made with reduced apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, then brushed with melted butter and rolled in a sweet, warmly spiced sugar coating.

And let me tell you, they taste like something you’d find at your favorite apple orchard.

There’s something about a warm apple cider donut covered in cinnamon sugar that just makes fall feel complete.

The best part? You don’t need a deep fryer, a pot of hot oil, or any complicated equipment to make these homemade apple cider donuts.

They’re baked right in a donut pan!

The secret to getting that delicious apple flavor is reducing fresh apple cider on the stove before adding it to the batter. This concentrates the flavor so you get plenty of apple goodness without adding too much liquid.

Then, while the donuts are still slightly warm, we’re brushing them with melted butter and coating them in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom sugar.

They’re soft on the inside, sweet and lightly crisp on the outside, and absolutely delicious with a hot cup of coffee or a mug of apple cider.

Whether you’re coming home from apple picking, planning a fall brunch, or just craving something cozy, these easy baked apple cider donuts are the perfect treat.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Apple Cider Donuts

There’s a reason apple cider donuts are such a popular fall treat.

Here’s why I love this homemade version:

• Packed with apple flavor: Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor before it goes into the batter.
• No frying required: These donuts bake in the oven instead of being deep-fried.
• Soft cake donut texture: The combination of milk, butter, egg, and flour creates tender, moist donuts.
• Warm fall spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom make every bite taste like autumn.
• Delicious cinnamon sugar coating: Melted butter helps the spiced sugar stick to the entire donut.
• Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find at most grocery stores.
• Quick baking time: The donuts bake in approximately 10 minutes.
• Perfect for fall gatherings: They’re great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack.

And honestly, the smell of apple cider and warm cinnamon filling the kitchen is reason enough to make them.

What Are Apple Cider Donuts?

Apple cider donuts are cake-style donuts flavored with apple cider and warm spices.

They’re especially popular during the fall season, when apple orchards and farm stands start selling fresh apple cider, apples, and seasonal baked goods.

Traditional apple cider doughnuts are often fried, but this version is baked.

That means you still get the delicious apple flavor and sweet cinnamon sugar coating without having to heat a large pot of oil.

Unlike yeasted donuts, cake donuts use baking powder and baking soda for leavening.

There’s no yeast, no rising time, and no kneading.

Just mix the batter, fill the donut pan, and bake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These baked apple cider donuts use simple baking ingredients, with reduced apple cider providing the signature flavor.

For the Donuts

Apple Cider — 1½ Cups

Apple cider is the star of this recipe.

We’re reducing it down to approximately ⅓ cup before adding it to the batter. This extra step concentrates the apple flavor and gives the donuts their signature taste.

Large Egg — 1

The egg helps bind the ingredients together and gives the donuts structure.

Milk — ½ Cup

Milk adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender crumb.

Butter — 3 Tablespoons, Melted

Melted butter adds richness and flavor to the donut batter.

Vanilla Extract — 1 Teaspoon

Vanilla complements the apple cider and warm spices.

All-Purpose Flour — 1¾ Cups

Regular all-purpose flour gives these cake donuts their structure.

For the best results, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag.

Granulated Sugar — ⅓ Cup

White sugar adds sweetness and helps create a tender donut.

Brown Sugar — ⅓ Cup

Brown sugar adds a subtle caramel-like flavor that pairs beautifully with apple cider.

Ground Cinnamon — 1 Teaspoon

Cinnamon brings that familiar apple pie flavor.

Baking Powder — 1 Teaspoon

Baking powder helps the donuts rise and become light and tender.

Baking Soda — ½ Teaspoon

Baking soda works alongside the baking powder to help the donuts rise.

Ground Nutmeg — ¼ Teaspoon

Nutmeg adds warmth and depth to the spice mixture.

Ground Cardamom — ⅛ Teaspoon

Cardamom has a slightly sweet, aromatic flavor that complements apples and cinnamon beautifully.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Granulated Sugar — 1 Cup

This forms the base of the sweet coating.

Butter — ½ Cup, Melted

The melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to the donuts.

Ground Cinnamon — 1 Teaspoon

Cinnamon gives the coating its classic flavor.

Ground Cardamom — ½ Teaspoon

Cardamom adds a wonderful aromatic warmth.

Ground Nutmeg — ½ Teaspoon

Nutmeg rounds out the fall spices and makes the coating especially flavorful.

Tools for this recipe

Donut Pan

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Mixing Bowl

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measuring spoons

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How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These homemade donuts are surprisingly easy to make.

The most important step is reducing the apple cider before preparing the batter.

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour 1½ cups apple cider into a small nonstick saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, allowing the cider to simmer until it reduces to approximately ⅓ cup.

The cider will become more concentrated and slightly syrupy as the liquid evaporates.

This can take approximately 15–25 minutes, depending on your saucepan and heat level.

Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally, especially as it gets close to the desired amount.

You don’t want the cider to burn.

Once reduced, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease your donut pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter.

Make sure to coat the donut cavities so the finished donuts release easily.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Set the mixture aside.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom

Whisking the dry ingredients separately helps distribute the baking powder, baking soda, and spices evenly throughout the flour mixture.

Step 5: Combine the Batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Pour in the cooled, reduced apple cider.

Gently stir until everything is just combined.

Don’t overmix!

You want the flour incorporated, but you don’t need to keep stirring until the batter is completely smooth.

Overmixing can develop too much gluten and make the finished donuts dense or tough.

Step 6: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the donut batter into your prepared donut pan.

Fill each cavity approximately halfway full.

One of my favorite tricks is using a disposable piping bag or a large zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.

It’s much easier than trying to spoon thick batter into those circular donut cavities.

Pipe the batter evenly, being careful not to overfill.

Step 7: Bake the Donuts

Place the donut pan in your preheated oven.

Bake at 350°F for approximately 10 minutes, or until the donuts are set and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.

The tops should spring back lightly when touched.

Keep in mind that baking time can vary slightly depending on the size of your donut pan.

Step 8: Cool Briefly

Remove the donut pan from the oven.

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for approximately 5 minutes.

Then carefully remove them and transfer them to a wire cooling rack.

You want the donuts cool enough to handle but still slightly warm when you add the topping.

Step 9: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a wide, shallow bowl, combine:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Stir until the spices are evenly distributed.

Place the remaining ½ cup melted butter in a separate bowl.

Step 10: Coat the Donuts

Using a pastry brush, lightly brush each donut with melted butter.

Then roll the donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.

Make sure to coat the top, bottom, and sides.

Repeat with the remaining donuts.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your baked apple cider donuts while they’re still slightly warm.

They’re especially delicious with coffee, hot apple cider, or a cold glass of milk.

Why Do You Need to Reduce Apple Cider?

This is probably the most important step in the entire recipe.

Apple cider contains a lot of water.

If you simply poured 1½ cups of cider directly into the batter, you’d be adding far too much liquid.

Reducing the cider allows much of that water to evaporate while concentrating the apple flavor.

By the time it reaches approximately ⅓ cup, the flavor is noticeably stronger.

That concentrated cider is what helps give these donuts their delicious apple taste.

Don’t skip this step!

It’s worth the extra time.

How Do You Know When Apple Cider Is Reduced Enough?

Start with 1½ cups of apple cider.

Simmer it over medium heat until only approximately ⅓ cup remains.

The easiest way to check is to carefully pour the cider into a heat-safe measuring cup.

If there’s still too much, return it to the saucepan and continue simmering.

As the cider reduces, it may become slightly thicker and darker.

Keep the heat moderate so the natural sugars don’t burn.

Can I Use Apple Juice Instead of Apple Cider?

Apple juice can work in a pinch, but I recommend fresh apple cider for the best flavor.

Apple cider generally has a more pronounced apple flavor, while filtered apple juice often tastes lighter and sweeter.

Since the apple flavor is such an important part of this recipe, cider is my first choice.

If you substitute apple juice, reduce it to the same ⅓ cup measurement.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar the Same as Apple Cider?

No!

This is an important distinction.

Do not use apple cider vinegar in this recipe.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and has a strong vinegar flavor.

Fresh apple cider is a sweet apple beverage made from pressed apples.

They’re completely different ingredients and aren’t interchangeable here.

What Makes These Cake Donuts Different From Yeast Donuts?

These are baked cake donuts, not yeasted donuts.

Yeast donuts typically require kneading, rising time, and often frying.

Cake donuts rely on baking powder and baking soda to rise.

That makes them much quicker and easier to prepare.

Their texture is also different.

Instead of being light and stretchy like a yeast donut, baked apple cider donuts have a soft, tender, cake-like crumb.

Tips for the Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts

A few simple techniques make a big difference.

Measure the Flour Correctly

Too much flour can make the donuts dry.

Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it with a straight edge.

Don’t pack it down.

Cool the Reduced Cider

Let the cider cool before adding it to the batter.

Very hot cider can affect the egg and melted butter mixture.

Don’t Overmix the Batter

Mix only until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Overmixing can make cake donuts dense.

Grease the Donut Pan Well

Even if you’re using a nonstick donut pan, lightly grease the cavities.

This helps the donuts release without breaking.

Don’t Overfill the Cavities

Fill each donut cavity about halfway.

The donuts need room to rise while maintaining their shape.

Watch the Baking Time

These donuts bake quickly.

Start checking around 10 minutes and remove them once they’re cooked through.

Coat Them While Slightly Warm

The melted butter and cinnamon sugar coating adhere beautifully to donuts that are still a little warm.

Do I Need a Donut Pan?

For the traditional donut shape, yes.

A donut pan gives you that classic round shape with the hole in the middle.

However, if you don’t have one, you can use a muffin pan to make apple cider donut muffins instead.

The texture will be similar, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time because muffins are thicker than donuts.

Bake until the centers are cooked through and a toothpick comes out clean.

Can I Make Apple Cider Donut Holes?

You can use a mini muffin pan to create bite-sized apple cider donut treats.

They won’t have the exact shape of traditional donut holes, but they’ll have the same delicious flavor.

Fill the mini muffin cavities only partway and adjust the baking time accordingly.

Once baked, brush them with melted butter and roll them in the spiced sugar coating.

They’re perfect for sharing.

Can I Use Apple Pie Spice Instead?

Yes.

Apple pie spice is another great way to add warm fall flavor.

However, this recipe uses specific amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.

If you substitute apple pie spice, the flavor may vary depending on the blend.

I recommend following the original spice measurements for the intended taste.

Why Are My Baked Donuts Dry?

Dry baked donuts are usually caused by one of three things.

Too much flour: Measuring flour directly from the bag can pack too much into the measuring cup.

Overmixing: Stirring the batter too much can make the donuts tough.

Overbaking: Donuts are small and cook quickly, so even a few extra minutes can affect their texture.

For the best results, measure carefully, mix gently, and check the donuts early.

Why Did My Donuts Stick to the Pan?

The donut cavities may not have been greased thoroughly enough.

Even nonstick pans can occasionally hold onto baked goods.

Make sure to coat the entire cavity, including the center post.

Also, let the donuts cool for approximately five minutes before removing them.

Trying to remove them immediately can cause them to break.

Can I Make the Donut Batter Ahead of Time?

I recommend baking the donuts shortly after mixing the batter.

The baking powder and baking soda begin reacting once the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Letting the mixed batter sit too long may affect how well the donuts rise.

If you want to prepare ahead, reduce the apple cider in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

You can also measure the dry ingredients and mix the cinnamon sugar topping ahead of time.

Then combine the batter and bake when you’re ready.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Absolutely.

If you’re making donuts for a fall gathering or family brunch, you can double the ingredients.

Just make sure you reduce the apple cider to the correct final volume.

For a double batch, you’d start with 3 cups of cider and reduce it to approximately ⅔ cup.

If you only have one donut pan, bake the donuts in batches.

What to Serve With Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These donuts are delicious on their own, but they’re especially good with fall drinks and breakfast favorites.

Try serving them with:

• Hot apple cider
• Freshly brewed coffee
• Chai tea
• Hot chocolate
• Cold milk
• Fresh apple slices
• Scrambled eggs
• Crispy bacon
• Breakfast sausage

For a fall brunch, arrange the donuts on a serving platter alongside coffee and fresh fruit.

They’re also perfect for an afternoon snack after visiting a local apple orchard.

The Perfect Fall Treat After Apple Picking

One of the best things about fall is all the seasonal traditions that come with it.

Apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and trips to the local orchard just wouldn’t feel complete without something delicious to eat.

And apple cider donuts are one of those treats that instantly remind me of fall.

Making them at home means you can enjoy that apple orchard flavor whenever you want.

You don’t have to wait for a weekend trip or stand in line at a farm stand.

Just grab some fresh apple cider from the grocery store, reduce it on the stove, and bake a batch.

Your kitchen will smell incredible.

How to Store Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, especially after they’ve been coated in melted butter and cinnamon sugar.

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely before storing.

Place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days, provided your kitchen is cool and dry.

For longer storage, refrigerate them for approximately 4–5 days.

The sugar coating may become slightly moist as the donuts sit.

That’s normal.

Can You Freeze Apple Cider Donuts?

Yes!

For the best results, I recommend freezing the donuts before adding the butter and cinnamon sugar coating.

Allow the baked donuts to cool completely.

Then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers if necessary.

Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months for the best quality.

When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw and gently warm the donuts.

Brush with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture just before serving.

This gives you a fresher-tasting coating.

How to Reheat Apple Cider Donuts

You can gently warm individual donuts in the microwave for a few seconds.

Be careful not to overheat them, which can affect their texture.

If you’re reheating uncoated donuts, a low oven works well too.

For the best cinnamon sugar texture, add the butter and sugar coating after warming.

More Apple and Donut Recipes From Krystel’s Cooking

If you love these baked apple cider donuts, here are a few more recipes to try.

Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts

If you love homemade cake donuts, these baked pumpkin donuts are another wonderful fall breakfast treat. They’re perfect when you’re craving pumpkin spice instead of apple cider.

Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze

These pumpkin donuts are a delicious option when you want warm fall flavors with a sweet maple glaze.

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins

If you love the combination of apples and cinnamon, these apple cinnamon crumb muffins are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Easy Apple Pound Cake

This apple pound cake is another cozy dessert that’s perfect for fall baking, especially when you have extra apples to use.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake

For another sweet apple breakfast, try this apple pie cinnamon roll bake. It’s a great choice for weekend brunch or holiday mornings.

Coffee Cake Donuts

If you’re a fan of baked donuts, these coffee cake donuts are another delicious homemade option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are apple cider donuts made of?

Apple cider donuts are made with flour, reduced apple cider, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, warm spices, and leavening ingredients. This baked version is finished with a cinnamon sugar coating.

Why do you reduce the apple cider?

Reducing the cider concentrates its apple flavor while removing excess liquid, allowing the donuts to have a stronger apple taste without making the batter too wet.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, although fresh apple cider generally provides a stronger apple flavor.

Can I use apple cider vinegar?

No. Apple cider vinegar is not a substitute for apple cider in this recipe.

Do I need a donut pan?

A donut pan gives you the traditional donut shape, but you can also bake the batter in a muffin or mini muffin pan with adjusted baking times.

Are baked apple cider donuts fried?

No. These donuts bake in the oven at 350°F.

How long do apple cider donuts take to bake?

Approximately 10 minutes, depending on the size of your donut pan and your oven.

Can I make the cider reduction ahead of time?

Yes. Reduce the cider, cool it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to make the batter.

Can I use apple pie spice?

Yes, although the flavor may differ slightly from the original cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom combination.

Why are my donuts dense?

Overmixing the batter or using too much flour can make the donuts dense.

Can I freeze baked apple cider donuts?

Yes. Freeze the baked donuts before coating them for the best results, then add the cinnamon sugar after thawing and warming.

How long do homemade apple cider donuts last?

They’re best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature or approximately four to five days refrigerated.

Final Thoughts

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are one of those homemade fall treats that are absolutely worth making from scratch.

You get soft, tender cake donuts with plenty of apple flavor from reduced apple cider, just the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, and a sweet cinnamon sugar coating that makes every bite irresistible.

And because they’re baked instead of fried, you don’t have to deal with a pot of hot oil or any complicated donut-making techniques.

Just reduce the cider, mix the batter, pipe it into your donut pan, and bake.

Then comes my favorite part.

Brushing those warm donuts with melted butter and rolling them in all that delicious spiced sugar.

They’re perfect for fall mornings, apple picking weekends, holiday brunches, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and comforting.

Serve them with a hot cup of coffee or a mug of fresh apple cider, and you’ve got a little taste of the apple orchard right in your own kitchen.

And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably going to want to make a second batch.

Because warm apple cider donuts never seem to last very long! the spirit of fall. Here’s to savoring the season with every bite!