Spiced Apple Cider Donuts: A Delicious Taste of Autumn
As the cool breeze of fall starts to make its presence known, few treats capture the essence of the season better than these warm, fragrant donuts.
Blending the tangy richness of apple cider with the comforting spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, they offer a delightful taste of autumn.
Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or paired with a hot coffee, Spiced Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect indulgence for cozy gatherings, family brunches, or a simple treat at home, delivering the flavors of fall with every bite.
Cozy Up with Delicious Fall Flavors – Explore the Best Autumn Recipe Ideas!
What Makes Spiced Apple Cider Donuts Special?
Spiced Apple Cider Donuts stand out for their unique blend of flavors and textures. The apple cider itself is often boiled down to concentrate its flavor, giving the donuts a deep, sweet apple taste that pairs beautifully with the warm spices used in the batter.
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sometimes a touch of allspice creates a symphony of flavors that complement the apple’s natural tartness.
These donuts are either fried to golden perfection or baked, and they’re usually coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness to each bite.
While these donuts are delicious year-round, they have become synonymous with the fall season, often enjoyed at apple orchards, fall festivals, or even in the comfort of your kitchen. The tradition of making these donuts during apple harvest time makes them a nostalgic and cherished treat.
Ingredients
Making Spiced Apple Cider Donuts at home is simpler than you might think. With a few basic ingredients and some spices, you can create these seasonal treats that are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Donut Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider (reduced for concentrated flavor)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (for moisture)
- 1/4 cup whole milk (or plant-based milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
How to Make it
Whether you decide to bake or fry your Spiced Apple Cider Donuts, the process is fairly straightforward. The key is reducing the apple cider to intensify its flavor, which sets these donuts apart from your everyday treats.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making them at home.
Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider
Start by pouring 1 1/2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook down until you’re left with about 1/2 cup of concentrated cider.
This process should take about 15-20 minutes. Once reduced, set the cider aside to cool slightly. Reducing the cider is essential for capturing the deep, apple essence that makes these donuts so flavorful.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. The combination of these warm spices is what gives Spiced Apple Cider Donuts their distinctive flavor, reminiscent of cozy autumn days.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, applesauce, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. Then, stir in the cooled, reduced apple cider.
The applesauce adds moisture to the donuts, while the brown sugar brings a subtle molasses-like sweetness that complements the apple cider.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough.
Once the batter is mixed, stir in the melted butter until the batter becomes smooth and slightly glossy. The butter adds richness and helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s characteristic of a good donut.
Step 5: Choose Your Cooking Method – Baked or Fried
Baked Spiced Apple Cider Donuts:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan and spoon the batter into the molds, filling each one about 2/3 full. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Fried Spiced Apple Cider Donuts:
For a more traditional approach, heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a piping bag or your hands, form the donut shapes and carefully drop them into the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the donuts from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 6: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together for the coating. While the donuts are still warm, generously roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring that each donut is fully coated. The combination of the crispy sugar coating and the spiced dough makes each bite irresistible.
Tips for Perfecting Your Spiced Apple Cider Donuts
Creating the perfect Spiced Apple Cider Donuts requires some attention to detail, but with a few tips, you’ll have bakery-worthy results in no time:
- Concentrate the apple cider: Reducing the apple cider is crucial to amplifying the apple flavor in the donuts. Don’t skip this step—it makes a big difference in the depth of flavor.
- Use fresh spices: The spices are what give these donuts their signature autumnal taste. Make sure your cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are fresh for the best flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to dense, tough donuts. Mix the batter just until combined to ensure your donuts stay light and fluffy.
- Fry for a crispy exterior: If you’re going for a more traditional donut, frying will give you that crisp exterior with a soft, pillowy inside. Be sure to keep the oil at the right temperature (around 350°F) to prevent the donuts from absorbing too much oil or burning.
While the classic version of Spiced Apple Cider Donuts is always a hit, there are a few fun variations you can try to mix things up:
Maple-Glazed Spiced Apple Cider Donuts
For an extra touch of sweetness, top your donuts with a maple glaze instead of the cinnamon-sugar coating. To make the glaze, mix 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a splash of plant-based milk. Drizzle the glaze over the warm donuts for a sweet, sticky finish.
Serving Suggestions
Are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven or fryer. However, they can also be served at room temperature and still taste amazing. Here are a few ways to serve these delightful donuts:
- With a hot drink: Pair the donuts with a hot cup of apple cider, coffee, or chai tea to enhance the cozy, autumnal flavors.
- At a fall gathering: These donuts are perfect for sharing at fall parties, family brunches, or as a treat after a day of apple picking.
- As a dessert: Serve the donuts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent fall dessert.
A Fall Treat to Savor
There’s something truly special about this dish—its warm spices, crispy coating, and tender interior capture the essence of autumn in every bite.
Whether you’re enjoying them on a cool morning or serving them at a festive fall gathering, these donuts are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
The next time you’re craving a cozy, seasonal treat, whip up a batch of Spiced Apple Cider Donuts and savor the flavors of fall in the best way possible.
Enjoy this Easy video tutorial
Source: Preppy Kitchen
Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Save THIS PIN to your Cooking Board on Pinterest!
Other Recipes You’ll Love 😍