Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Apple Cider Donuts: A Delicious Dairy-Free Treat

These Apple Cider Donuts are a delightful fall treat, perfect for enjoying with a cup of warm apple cider or coffee. Baked to perfection, these donuts are moist, flavorful, and have the perfect balance of spices. Plus, they’re dairy-free with an option to make them gluten-free, making them a great choice for those with dietary restrictions.

Ingredients: A Flavorful Blend of Fall Spices and Apple Cider

Apple Cider Reduction

• Apple Cider (1¼ cup): The star of the show, apple cider adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the donuts. Reducing the cider intensifies its flavor, making the donuts even more delicious.
• Cinnamon Stick: Infuses the apple cider with warm, spicy notes, enhancing the overall flavor of the donuts.

Apple Cider Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Flour (2 cups, 262g): The base of the donuts, providing structure. Use gluten-free flour to make these donuts gluten-free.
• Kosher Salt (¼ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Baking Powder (1 tsp): Helps the donuts rise and become fluffy.
• Baking Soda (1 tsp): Works with the baking powder to give the donuts a light, airy texture.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp): Adds warmth and spice to the donuts, making them taste like fall.
• Ground Ginger (½ tsp): Adds a subtle spiciness that complements the cinnamon.
• Ground Nutmeg (¼ tsp): A classic spice in apple cider donuts, nutmeg adds a rich, nutty flavor.
• Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, 105g, packed): Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, which pairs beautifully with the apple cider.
• Granulated Sugar (¼ cup, 50g): Adds sweetness and helps balance the spices.
• Large Egg: Adds structure and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Enhances the flavor of the donuts with its sweet, fragrant notes.
• Melted Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil (¼ cup, 55g): Provides moisture and richness to the donuts. Use coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor, or vegetable oil for a neutral taste.
• Almond Milk or Regular Milk (¼ cup, 60ml): Adds moisture to the batter, keeping the donuts tender. Use almond milk for a dairy-free version.
• Unsweetened Apple Sauce (3 tbsp): Adds moisture and a natural sweetness to the donuts, while also reducing the need for additional fat.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• Unsalted Butter (6 tbsp, melted, or vegan butter for dairy-free): Helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the donuts, giving them a deliciously sweet and buttery finish.
• Granulated Sugar (1 cup, 200g): Creates a sweet coating on the outside of the donuts.
• Ground Cinnamon (2 tsp): Adds warmth and spice to the sugar coating, making each bite of the donut irresistible.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Apple Cider Reduction

Start by pouring the apple cider into a saucepan and adding the cinnamon stick. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the cider to a simmer. Continue simmering until the cider has reduced to ⅓ cup. This intensifies the flavor of the apple cider, making the donuts more flavorful. Once reduced, pour the cider into a measuring glass to ensure you have exactly ⅓ cup. If you’re slightly short, top it off with a bit more fresh apple cider. Set the reduced cider aside to cool slightly.

2. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Donut Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray your donut pans with nonstick spray to ensure the donuts release easily after baking. This recipe makes 12 donuts, so ensure you have enough pans or bake in batches.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. This dry mixture will provide the structure and flavor base for your donuts.

4. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, melted oil, and warm reduced apple cider. The apple cider should be warm to the touch, but not hot, to ensure it doesn’t cook the egg. Whisk in the almond milk and unsweetened apple sauce until well combined.

5. Mix the Batter

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. The batter should be thick but pourable.

6. Pipe the Batter into the Donut Pans

Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a large zip-lock bag and snip off the tip or corner. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the prepared donut pans, filling each about ¾ full. This will ensure the donuts rise nicely without overflowing.

7. Bake the Donuts

Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. The donuts should be set and lightly golden brown.

8. Cool and Coat the Donuts

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove them and place them on a cooling rack. While the donuts are cooling, prepare the cinnamon sugar coating. Melt the butter in the microwave, and in a separate dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.

Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, coat them in the melted butter, allowing any excess to drip off, and then toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. This gives the donuts a sweet, spicy, and slightly crunchy exterior.

9. Enjoy Your Apple Cider Donuts

Now your apple cider donuts are ready to enjoy! These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Tips for Making Perfect Apple Cider Donuts

1. Don’t Skip the Reduction: Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavor, which is essential for achieving that classic apple cider donut taste.
2. Use a Piping Bag: Using a piping bag (or a zip-lock bag with the corner snipped off) makes it much easier to fill the donut pans evenly, resulting in beautifully shaped donuts.
3. Gluten-Free Option: If you’re making these donuts gluten-free, ensure you use a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum, as this will help the donuts hold together and rise properly.
4. Serving Suggestions: Serve these donuts warm with a mug of hot apple cider or coffee for a cozy fall treat. You can also drizzle them with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent twist.

Customizing Your Apple Cider Donuts

This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes:

1. Spiced Variations: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the dry ingredients for an even spicier flavor.
2. Cider Glaze: Instead of a cinnamon sugar coating, dip the donuts in a glaze made from powdered sugar mixed with a little more reduced apple cider for a sweet and tangy finish.
3. Filled Donuts: For a fun twist, fill the donuts with apple butter or a spiced cream cheese filling after they’ve cooled. Simply pipe the filling into the center of each donut using a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip.
4. Vegan Option: To make these donuts completely vegan, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) in place of the egg, and be sure to use a non-dairy milk and vegan butter.

Storing and Freezing

• Storing: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they begin to lose their crispness, you can reheat them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to refresh them.
• Freezing: To freeze the donuts, allow them to cool completely after baking (but before coating with butter and cinnamon sugar). Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to enjoy, thaw the donuts at room temperature and then coat them in the melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content per donut (without the cinnamon sugar coating):

• Calories: Approximately 190
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 15g

Final Thoughts

These Apple Cider Donuts are a delicious way to bring the flavors of fall into your kitchen. With their moist, tender crumb and sweet, spiced coating, they’re sure to become a favorite treat for your family and friends. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of coffee on a chilly morning or as an afternoon snack, these donuts are a delightful way to celebrate the season. Enjoy baking and sharing these scrumptious donuts!