As the weather cools and fall arrives, nothing brings more comfort than the smell and taste of apple cider donuts. With their warm spices and a hint of apple flavor, these donuts are perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or a treat to enjoy with a hot cup of coffee. In this post, I’ll show you how to make these delicious donuts at home using easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you through creating the best apple cider donuts you’ve ever tasted.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 12 donuts
Ingredients for Apple Cider Donuts Recipe:
- 1 cup apple cider (reduce to ¼ cup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Steps for Apple Cider Donuts Recipe:
Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider
To get the bold apple flavor in your donuts, start by reducing the apple cider. Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Allow it to reduce until you’re left with about ¼ cup of concentrated cider. This step takes about 8-10 minutes, but it’s essential for intensifying the apple flavor in the donuts. Once reduced, set it aside to cool before adding it to your dough.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. These spices are the heart of the flavor in your apple cider donuts, giving them that warm and cozy taste that’s perfect for fall. Make sure the ingredients are well combined to ensure even distribution of flavor.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Creaming the butter and sugar creates a fluffy and light texture that gives your donuts that perfect soft bite. Beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and smooth.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs to the butter mixture, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and the reduced apple cider. Stir in the buttermilk, which adds richness and moisture to the donuts. The combination of apple cider and buttermilk gives these donuts a tender crumb and tangy undertones.
Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix the batter, as this can make the donuts tough. You want a soft dough that will result in fluffy donuts.
Step 6: Shape and Fry the Donuts
Heat a large pot of oil or a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). While the oil heats, roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small for the hole) to cut out your donut shapes. Carefully lower a few donuts into the oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the donuts for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown. Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
Step 7: Coat the Donuts
While the donuts are still warm, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Toss each donut in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated. This adds a delicious sugary crunch to the outside of the donuts, while the inside remains soft and moist.
Nutrition Facts for Apple Cider Donuts Recipe:
- Calories: 210 per donut
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 3g
A Brief History of Apple Cider Donuts
Apple cider donuts have a rich history rooted in the northeastern United States. They became popular in the early 20th century as a way to use up leftover apple cider, a common beverage during the fall harvest. The concept of spiced doughnuts is said to be inspired by old European recipes, and the addition of cider gave the treat a distinctly American twist. Today, they’re commonly sold at fall festivals, apple orchards, and farmers’ markets across the country.
The popularity of apple cider donuts continues to grow, especially as the interest in farm-to-table and seasonal foods increases. Whether you enjoy them fresh from a local market or homemade in your own kitchen, apple cider donuts are a symbol of autumn and a treat that brings families together during the cooler months.
Tips for Perfect Apple Cider Donuts
- Use Fresh Apple Cider: For the best flavor, opt for fresh, unfiltered apple cider from a local orchard or farmers’ market. Store-bought cider will work, but nothing beats the taste of fresh-pressed apples.
- Reduce the Cider: Don’t skip the step of reducing the cider! This is key to getting a concentrated apple flavor in your donuts. If you don’t reduce it, the flavor may be too subtle.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts, so keep the dough light and fluffy.
- Fry at the Right Temperature: Keeping the oil at a steady 350°F (175°C) is crucial for perfectly cooked donuts. If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn while the inside stays raw. If the oil is too cool, the donuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: Toss the donuts in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm. This helps the sugar stick to the donuts and gives them that signature sweet, crunchy coating.
Variations of Apple Cider Donuts
While the classic apple cider donut is delicious on its own, there are several ways you can customize the recipe to suit your tastes.
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts: If you prefer a healthier version, you can bake the donuts instead of frying them. Simply pour the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden.
- Glazed Apple Cider Donuts: For an extra touch of sweetness, skip the cinnamon-sugar coating and dip your donuts in a vanilla glaze. Mix together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then dip the cooled donuts into the glaze.
- Spiced Apple Cider Donuts: To add more depth to the flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dough. These spices pair beautifully with the apple cider and give the donuts a little extra warmth.
- Apple Cider Donut Holes: Don’t waste the dough from the donut holes! Fry them up as mini donut bites and toss them in the same cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re perfect for popping into your mouth when you want a smaller treat.
Conclusion
Making apple cider donuts at home is a simple and rewarding experience. This recipe is straightforward, requires minimal ingredients, and yields donuts that are packed with flavor. The combination of apple cider, cinnamon, and sugar creates a nostalgic and comforting treat that is perfect for any fall occasion.
Whether you’re making these donuts for a cozy family brunch, a festive gathering, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, they’re sure to impress. And with the added benefit of being able to customize the recipe with your favorite variations, you can make them your own.
So the next time you’re craving a taste of fall, give this easy apple cider donuts recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
