Description
Soft, warmly spiced apple cider donuts coated in cinnamon sugar — the perfect fall treat you can fry or bake at home. Made with reduced apple cider for rich flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying (or nonstick spray if baking)
- Cinnamon sugar for coating (½ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon)
Instructions
- Reduce the cider: In a saucepan, simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup. Cool completely.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
- Beat wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and the cooled reduced cider.
- Combine: Add dry mixture in thirds, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
- Shape donuts: Roll out dough to ½-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut with a donut cutter.
- Fry: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry donuts 1 minute per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
(For baked donuts: Preheat oven to 350°F, grease a donut pan, and bake for 10–12 minutes.) - Coat: While warm, toss donuts in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra apple flavor, add 1 tbsp apple butter to the batter.
- You can refrigerate dough overnight for a quicker morning fry.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months; reheat in oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American