BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUTS

Let’s be honest, frying donuts at home is such a hassle and causes the biggest mess to clean up as well as is extremely time consuming making sure the oil is constantly at the right temperature and when it’s done frying they are either still doughy on the inside or overcooked and too crunchy on the outside. Dishes are the worst part of the clean up process especially when it involves scorching hot oil and oil splatter all over the counters and stove top.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts are simply my favorite fall dessert, and nothing is better than a baked version without all the mess and grease from frying! Also, a lot healthier when baked so you feel more guilt free eating these. I absolutely love any baked donut, they are so light, fluffy, super soft and still moist and tender. They don’t have that outer layer crunch from being deep fried, but for some reason I am okay with that because they are still so delicious. It is hard to find a donut that has all those qualities while keeping a great texture. The hardest thing about most apple cider donut recipes is the apple taste being lost in all the other ingredients and flavors, that it ends up not having hardly any apple flavor. The key is to use different apple flavors (apple cider and apple butter) that are more concentrated. Therefore, boiling down the apple cider is key for a richer flavor as using apple butter, which is a very concentrated and thick. It is apples and sugar and cinnamon boiled down and pureed so it thickens like a butter consistency. It is also the best to spread on some toast in the morning as well so I always have some in my fridge.

Because these are so fluffy and moist they tend to last a good amount of time when properly stored in a zip-lock or air tight container. Can heat it up and enjoy all week with your morning coffee or just a midday snack! Thest best part about these is I partnered up with De’Longhi and used an Air Fry Oven and they baked perfectly in 10 mins! They almost baked better in the toaster oven than they did in my regular oven!

Baked Apple Cider Donuts Gallery
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BOILED DOWN APPLE CIDER

Boiling down the apple cider gives it a richer flavor to add to the donuts so that you can actually taste the apple tartness while enjoying them. Put the apple cider in a pot and let cook until the liquid has reduced. It usually takes some time, so I typically do this the day before or I will get an entire jug at the store and reduce the whole container just to have for my fall baking (or year round if you are like me and love fall desserts any time of the year).

COATING THE DONUTS:

I typically coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar when they are fresh out of the oven because they are still hot and moist which makes it easier for the cinnamon sugar mixture to stick to. I’ve also waited until they have cooled down a bit and melted some butter. Dunked them in the butter before rolling them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This is an extra step and can be eliminated if you are running tight on time or just don’t want the added step of melting butter. It does lock in the moisture as well by coating it in butter. Either way they work great and taste phenomenal both ways. I usually opt for the first option and it allows you to enjoy them fresh and hot without any cool down time. I will say you need to be more careful because working with hot bake goods can cause burns so work with gloves of some sort. 

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BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUTS

Recipe by sugaredkneads
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

40

minutes
Baking Time

10

Minutes

Ingredients

  • APPLE CIDER

  • 1 ½ cups apple cider reduced down to ½ cup

  • BAKED DONUTS

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • Pinch of nutmeg

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 egg, room temperature

  • 3 tablespoons apple butter

  • ⅓ cup canola/vegetable oil

  • ¼ cup milk

Directions

  • Bring the Apple Cider to a simmer over medium heat and let boil down until about ½ of a cup. May take some time.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (I used my De'Longhi air fry toaster oven). Lightly grease your donut pan.

  • Whisk the dry ingredients together - flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside.

  • Stir together the brown sugar, sugar, egg, vanilla, oil, & apple cider. Make sure the cider is not hot.

  • Whisk together the milk and apple butter and pour into the sugar mixture.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient and stir to combine.

  • Add to a piping bag or a large zip-lock bag and cut a hole at the tip. This will prevent a huge mess when adding the batter to the donut pan.

  • Fill each donut in the pan, about ⅔ full. Bake for 9-11 mins until a toothpick comes out with a moist crumb.

  • Stir together cinnamon and sugar and dunk the donuts in coating them completely. You can also melt some butter and dip them in melted butter before the cinnamon sugar mixture if the sugar isn't sticking well. I have done both but I find that it sticks well without butter.

    Make sure to tag me @sugaredkneads and use the hashtag #sugaredkneads so I can see all the amazing baked goods!

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