Apple Cider Donuts: A Seasonal Treat with a Twist
Fall is the season of warm flavors, cozy gatherings, and the irresistible aroma of baked goods filling your kitchen. Among the many seasonal delights, Apple Cider Donuts hold a special place in our hearts. With their tender crumb, warm spices, and sweet apple essence, these donuts capture the essence of autumn in every bite. What makes this recipe truly special is that it’s not only packed with flavor but also adaptable for those who follow a dairy-free or gluten-free diet. Whether you’re serving them at a family brunch, bringing them to a holiday party, or simply indulging in a sweet treat on a crisp fall afternoon, these Apple Cider Donuts are sure to be a hit.
The Magic of Apple Cider
The key ingredient in these donuts is apple cider, a drink that is synonymous with fall. Apple cider is made by pressing fresh apples to extract their juice, resulting in a beverage that’s rich in flavor and packed with the natural sweetness of apples. In this recipe, the apple cider is reduced to concentrate its flavors, creating a deep, robust apple essence that infuses the donuts with an irresistible taste.
To prepare the apple cider reduction, you’ll need 1 1/4 cups of apple cider and a cinnamon stick. The cinnamon stick adds a subtle warmth that complements the apple flavor perfectly. Simply pour the apple cider into a saucepan, add the cinnamon stick, and simmer over medium heat until the liquid reduces to 1/3 cup. This process intensifies the apple flavor, ensuring that every bite of the donut is bursting with the taste of fresh apples.
The Ingredients: Balancing Flavor and Texture
These Apple Cider Donuts are made with a blend of simple, wholesome ingredients that work together to create a moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced donut. Here’s a closer look at what goes into these delightful treats:
Flour (2 cups or 262g)
The base of the donuts is all-purpose flour, which provides the structure and texture. For those following a gluten-free diet, you can easily substitute gluten-free flour without sacrificing the quality of the donuts. The recipe has been tested with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, and the results are just as delicious. When using gluten-free flour, it’s recommended to weigh the flour for accuracy, as it’s easy to over-measure when using cups.
Kosher Salt (1/4 tsp)
Salt is essential in baking to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. In this recipe, a small amount of kosher salt balances the sweetness of the donuts and accentuates the spices.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda (1 tsp each)
These leavening agents are crucial for giving the donuts their rise and fluffy texture. Baking powder and baking soda work together to ensure the donuts are light and tender, with just the right amount of lift.
Ground Spices: Cinnamon (1 tsp), Ginger (1/2 tsp), Nutmeg (1/4 tsp)
The warm, aromatic spices in these donuts are what make them quintessentially autumnal. Ground cinnamon is the star, providing a sweet and spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the apple cider. Ground ginger adds a bit of zing, while ground nutmeg lends a subtle earthiness that rounds out the flavor profile.
Sugars: Light Brown Sugar (1/2 cup or 105g) & Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup or 50g)
The combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar gives the donuts a perfect balance of sweetness and moisture. Brown sugar, with its molasses content, adds a deeper, more complex sweetness and contributes to the soft texture of the donuts. Granulated sugar, on the other hand, provides a more straightforward sweetness and helps with the crispiness of the donut’s exterior.
Large Egg
The egg acts as a binder, helping to hold all the ingredients together and providing richness to the donuts. It also contributes to the structure, ensuring the donuts have a tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the donuts, adding a subtle sweetness and warmth that complements the spices and apple cider.
Melted Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil (1/4 cup or 55g)
The fat in this recipe comes from melted coconut oil or vegetable oil, which helps keep the donuts moist and tender. Coconut oil adds a slight hint of coconut flavor, which pairs well with the apple and spices, while vegetable oil provides a neutral flavor.
Almond Milk or Regular Milk (1/4 cup or 60ml)
The liquid component in these donuts is almond milk, which keeps the recipe dairy-free. If you’re not following a dairy-free diet, you can use regular milk instead. The milk adds moisture to the batter and helps create a smooth, pourable consistency.
Unsweetened Applesauce (3 tbsp)
Applesauce not only adds moisture to the donuts but also enhances the apple flavor. It’s a great way to add a natural sweetness and softness to the donuts without needing additional fat.
The Art of Donut Making
Now that you’re familiar with the ingredients, let’s dive into the process of making these delicious Apple Cider Donuts. The recipe is straightforward, and with a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of warm, spiced donuts ready to enjoy.
1. Prepare the Apple Cider Reduction
Start by making the apple cider reduction. Pour the apple cider into a saucepan, add the cinnamon stick, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer until the liquid has reduced to 1/3 cup. This process concentrates the apple flavor, making it more pronounced in the final donuts. Once reduced, pour the cider into a measuring cup to ensure you have exactly 1/3 cup. If needed, top it off with a bit more fresh apple cider.
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 prevent the donuts from sticking. This recipe makes 12 donuts, so you’ll need enough pans to accommodate them all.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. This step ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour, resulting in evenly flavored donuts.
4. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, melted oil, and warm apple cider reduction. The cider can be warm to the touch but should not be hot, as you don’t want to cook the egg. Once combined, whisk in the almond milk and applesauce until smooth.
5. Mix the Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking just until combined. The batter should be thick but pourable. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense, tough donuts.
6. Pipe the Batter into the Donut Pans
Pour the batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag and snip off the tip or corner. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the prepared donut pans, filling them about 3/4 full. This ensures the donuts have enough room to rise without overflowing.
7. Bake the Donuts
Place the donut pans in the preheated oven and bake 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 golden brown and slightly springy to the touch.
8. Cool the Donuts
Allow the donuts to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before carefully removing them and placing them on a cooling rack. Cooling the donuts slightly helps them firm up, making them easier to handle when applying the cinnamon sugar coating.
The Finishing Touch: Cinnamon Sugar Coating
No apple cider donut is complete without a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. This final step adds a sweet, crunchy exterior that perfectly complements the soft, spiced interior of the donuts.
1. Melt the Butter
In a microwave-safe dish, melt the butter. If you’re keeping the donuts dairy-free, use vegan butter instead of regular butter.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar
In a separate dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. The ratio of sugar to cinnamon is important—too much cinnamon can overpower the sweetness, while too little won’t provide enough flavor. The 2:1 ratio used in this recipe is just right.
3. Coat the Donuts
To coat the donuts, dunk each one into the melted butter, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, toss the donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. The butter helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the donut, creating a deliciously sweet and crunchy exterior.
Serving and Storing Your Donuts
These Apple Cider Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, while they’re still warm and the cinnamon sugar coating is crisp. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The donuts may lose some of their crispness over time, but they’ll still be incredibly moist and flavorful.
If you want to enjoy the donuts later, you can also freeze them. Simply place the cooled, coated donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let the donuts thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.
The Joy of Baking
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making homemade donuts, especially when they’re as delicious as these Apple Cider Donuts. The process is simple enough for even novice bakers, yet the results are impressive enough to rival any bakery. Plus, the versatility of this recipe allows you to cater to different dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture.
Whether you’re making these donuts for a special occasion or simply to celebrate the arrival of fall, they’re sure to bring joy to anyone who tastes them. The combination of warm spices, sweet apple cider, and crunchy cinnamon sugar is the perfect way to welcome the cooler weather and savor the flavors of the season.
Final Thoughts
These Apple Cider Donuts are more than just a treat—they’re a celebration of all that makes fall special. From the cozy spices to the rich apple flavor, each bite is a reminder of the simple pleasures that come with the changing seasons. So, grab a cup of hot apple cider, gather your loved ones, and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor. Happy baking!