Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These baked apple cider donuts are put over the top with a homemade apple cider salted caramel that you dip or drench the donuts in if you prefer.

Yes I'm sharing another baked donut recipe! I've got plenty these days - from almond butter donuts to baked pumpkin donuts.

As you can tell, I'm quite enjoying the donut pan I bought. I remember seeing Half Baked Harvest post this recipe over a few years ago and almost buying donut pans right then, but I talked myself out of it.

So when I finally bought the pans, I knew this was going to be one of the first donuts I made. With apple season pretty much over, I figured it was time.

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

Jump to:

• Recipe Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Is It Doughnuts or Donuts?
• Are Baked Donuts Healthy?
• Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
• Other Donut Recipes
• Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Recipe Ingredients

• Apple cider - the base for the caramel and the donuts.
• Unsalted butter - adds fat to the caramel and donuts.
• Light brown sugar - used to sweeten the apple cider caramel and the baked donuts.
• Heavy cream - can't have caramel without cream.
• Salt - enhances the flavors.
• All-purpose flour – has the right amount of gluten for these baked donuts.
• Baking powder – acts as a leavening agent.
• Ground cinnamon– enhances the flavor.
• Egg – helps bind everything together.
• Vanilla extract – adds flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add apple cider to medium sauce pan and bring to boil. Boil for about 20 minutes or until the cider has reduced to 1/3 cup.
2. 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. If the caramel thickens too much, place over low heat and add cream to thin.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another medium bowl, mix together the apple cider, egg, butter and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth.
4. Place batter in ziploc bag and squeeze out air. Cut corner of bag. Spray 6-cup donut pan with non-stick spray. Pipe the batter evenly in the donut pan. It should make 6.
5. 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.
6. Dip donuts in caramel and sprinkle some sea salt over it.

Is It Doughnuts or Donuts?

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.

Are Baked Donuts Healthy?

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 baked chocolate frosted donuts!

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• 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.
• Let the baked donuts cool completely before you dip them in the glaze.
• Leftovers will store well in at room temperature for 1-2 days in an air-tight container.

Other Donut Recipes

• Baked Chocolate Frosted Donuts
• Eggnog Donuts
• Guinness Chocolate Donuts
• Chocolate Frosted Donuts
• Baked Blueberry Donuts

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.