Apple Cider Tender Donuts (Printable Version)

Tender donuts with apple cider flavor, coated in cinnamon sugar. Perfect for cozy mornings or gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 cup apple cider
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Coating

12 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
14 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
02 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a standard donut pan thoroughly.
03 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk reduced apple cider with melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
05 - Gently fold the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Spoon or pipe batter into the donut cavities, filling each about 3/4 full.
07 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the donuts spring back when lightly touched.
08 - Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
09 - Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Brush warm donuts with melted butter and dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
10 - Enjoy donuts warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They bake in your oven instead of needing a deep fryer, which means less mess and less oil on your hands.
  • The whole kitchen smells like cinnamon and apples for hours afterward, which honestly is reason enough alone.
  • They're genuinely simple to make, even if you've never piped batter before—there's real comfort in that.
02 -
  • Reducing the apple cider is non-negotiable—raw cider will make the batter too wet and the donuts will turn out gummy inside.
  • If you add diced fresh apples for extra flavor, pat them very dry first or they'll release moisture and throw off your batter.
  • Coat them while they're warm; the butter needs that residual heat to help the cinnamon sugar stick.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and create a more tender crumb than cold ones straight from the fridge.
  • If your donuts stick in the pan even after greasing, wait an extra minute before turning them out—that little bit of cooling makes all the difference.
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