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These baked apple cider donuts are put over the top with a homemade apple cider salted caramel which you can dip the donuts in.
Yes I'm sharing another baked donut recipe! I've got plenty these days - from almond butter donuts to baked pumpkin donuts to banana donuts to strawberry glazed donuts to lemon donuts.
What's great about baked donuts is they can be prepared and ready to eat in less than 15 minutes! Now the caramel for these baked apple cider donuts takes longer so factor that in, but it's so worth it!
I don't know about you but I've never really had anything beside a basic caramel, so an apple cider caramel sounded interesting to me. And not surprising, the it's what really makes these apple donuts amazing.
Whenever I make donuts these days, these are at the top of my list.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple - You just mix together some ingredients together in a bowl and bake in a pan.
- Quick to prepare - You can have these donuts prepared in 15 minutes.
- Flavorful - If you are a fan of apple, you'll love these.
Jump to:
Ingredient Notes
- Apple cider caramel sauce - This is optional but just adds another layer of flavors that you can dip the donuts in.
- All-purpose flour – This is the main dry ingredient that provides structure to the donuts.
- Light brown sugar - Adds sweetness to the donuts. It is important to strike the right balance between sweet and the tartness of the apple cider.
- Baking powder – A leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and become fluffy.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg – Adds flavor and warmth to the donuts.
- Salt - A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the donuts.
- Apple cider - This is the star ingredient that imparts the unique apple flavor to the donuts. Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the best results.
- Unsalted butter - Adds a rich, buttery flavor to the donuts.
- Egg – Provides structure and moisture.
- Greek yogurt - Adds moisture and a slightly tangy flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor.
- Granulated sugar - Mixed with the spices to add a sugar coating to the donuts.
Ingredient Swaps
Like any recipe you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:
- While I like all-purpose flour as it is the most common, but cake flour works well too and creates even a lighter donut. You can also go with oat flour if you want to be gluten-free.
- I like to use light brown sugar with these apple cider donuts, but granulated or dark brown sugar can be used.
- If you don't have apple cider, you can use unsweetened applesauce as a replacement. While it won't provide the same depth of flavor as apple cider, it will still impart an apple taste to the donuts.
- If you want a vegan donut you can replace the egg. Stir 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal or chia seeds in 2 ½ tablespoon water and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
- I use Greek yogurt, but you can also use sour cream. If you are going dairy free, try coconut milk or almond milk.
- If you are continuing down the vegan donut route, replace the butter with any neutral oil.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth. Add to a donut pan and bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes or until done.
Mix the sugar coating ingredients in a bowl. Dip the donuts in a bowl of melted butter and apple cider and then dip in the sugar mixture.
FAQs
So I guess the real way to spell it is doughnuts but Dunkin’ Donuts popularized the spelling of donuts back in the 1950’s. For me, I go with donut.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say they are healthy, but they are healthier than fried donuts. Like anything, eat in moderation. You won’t regret eating these apple donuts.
If you don't have a donut pan, you can make "donut muffins". Just use a standard 12-cup muffin pan and fill each ¾ full. Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
No but it is what puts these donuts over the top. You can check out the step-by-step instructions here.
Leftovers will store well in at room temperature for 1-2 days in an air-tight container. You can also freeze for up to three months.
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how these baked donuts turn out. What is needed is the following:
- Donut pan - Since you are baking these donuts, you need a good pan.
- Large bowl - Used to whisk together the ingredients.
- Rubber spatula - Something is needed to mix together the ingredients. You can also use a spoon.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- If you're using store-bought apple cider, reduce it on the stovetop to concentrate the flavor.
- Even though they say non-stick, spray your donut pans with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the donuts come out.
- When measuring the flour, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife to get the right amount.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pans, but the easiest way to get the batter in the pan is by using a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
- Just like with any cake type batter that you make, you’ll know the donuts are done when a toothpick comes out clean.
Other Donut Recipes
If you’ve tried these baked apple cider donuts or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
Apple Cider Caramel (Optional)
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoon heavy cream
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoon apple cider
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoon apple cider
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Apple Cider Caramel (Optional)
- Add apple cider to medium sauce pan and bring to boil. Boil for about 20 minutes or until the cider has reduced by half. Keep ⅓ cup in pan and save the rest for the donuts.
- Reduce the heat and add the butter, cream and brown sugar. Bring back to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the caramel is a dark color and has thickened. Remove from heat and stir in salt. If the caramel thickens too much, place over low heat and add cream to thin.
Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In another medium bowl, mix together the apple cider, egg, butter, Greek yogurt and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until stick comes clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and remove and place on cooling rack for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Combined melted butter and 2 tablespoon apple cider in shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dip donut in butter and then coat in sugar mixture. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you're using store-bought apple cider, reduce it on the stovetop to concentrate the flavor.
- Even though they say non-stick, spray your donut pans with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the donuts come out.
- When measuring the flour, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife to get the right amount.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pans, but the easiest way to get the batter in the pan is by using a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
- Just like with any cake type batter that you make, you’ll know the donuts are done when a toothpick comes out clean.
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