There’s something about apple cider donuts that instantly feels like fall. These baked apple cider donuts are light, tender, and perfectly cakey, with a crisp cinnamon sugar coating . They’re baked in a donut pan – no frying, no fuss. Every bite tastes like a trip to the cider mill, minus the long line. So, if you’ve got a jug of fresh cider from your last orchard visit, this is the recipe to put it to good use.

The Kind of Fall Bake You’ll Want on Repeat

The secret to these baked apple cider donuts is reduced apple cider. Simmering it down deepens the flavor and adds that sweet-tart richness that makes every bite feel warm and spiced. A mix of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon ties it all together into something that’s simple but so good.

And the finishing touch? A quick brush of melted butter and a roll through cinnamon sugar. It gives them that crisp exterior and soft, fluffy center – like the kind you grab straight from a paper bag at your favorite orchard.

Let’s Make Them

Start by reducing your apple cider – one and half cups reduced to half a cup. It’s worth the extra few minutes, and helps in adding that apple cider flavor without affecting the texture of these donuts.

Next, your going to whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and hint of nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla, sour cream, and reduced apple cider. Combine the ingredients, and then divide the batter into a greased donut pan. I love dividing the batter using a piping bag – makes the process much easier!

Once the batter is divided up evenly, bake until golden or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.

Then once the donuts have slightly cooled, brush each donut with melted butter and coat in cinnamon sugar. It’s the part that makes them truly irresistible!

Fresh From the Oven

There’s nothing quite like these donuts – enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee. However you enjoy then, these baked apple cider donuts are everything you want in a fall bake: simple, flavorful, and just the right amount of nostalgia.

So if you are looking for a easy baked apple cider donut, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of soft, fluffy, and warm fall spice. Bake a batch this weekend – you’ll be hooked after the first bite!