With a concentrated apple reduction and spiced sugar coating, this apple cider donut recipe packs all the flavors of fall in one tender bite. These donuts come together easily with just a few ingredients--no yeast or frying required!Watch the how-to video for step-by-step instructions.
Pour apple cider into a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium heat until the liquid has been reduced to just ¾ cup (175ml). You will need to keep a liquid measuring cup handy and pour the cider back into the measuring cup to be sure it has reduced enough. How long this takes will vary depending on your particular stovetop, for me it usually takes about 10 minutes.
2 ¼ cups apple cider
Allow apple cider to cool completely before proceeding. You can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator. If you prepared the apple cider in advance, simply store covered in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 12-count donut pan with baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until well-combined.
2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon allspice
In a separate bowl (I like to use a large measuring cup), whisk together reduced apple cider, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in melted butter (this will separate from the cider, that’s fine).
1 large egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and use a spatula to gently stir everything together until just combined (don’t over-mix or your donuts will be dense and dry).
Spoon or pipe batter evenly into prepared donut pan (I like to pour the batter into a large piping bag or large Ziploc bag and then just snip off one corner for easy piping).
Transfer to 350F (175C) oven and bake for 9-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part of the donut comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack.
Topping
Whisk together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish and set aside.
½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Use a pastry brush to lightly brush donuts on both sides with melted butter and then immediately dip on both sides in cinnamon/sugar mixture.
2 Tablespoons salted butter
Serve warm! Donuts will keep in an airtight container for up to two days but are hands-down best served warm.
Video
Notes
Making without a donut pan:If you don’t have a donut pan, you can make “donut holes” in a mini muffin tin. This recipe will make about 28 mini muffins (since a standard tin holds 24 muffins I will typically make 24 and just discard the extra). Fill cavities ⅔-¾ full and bake 8-10 minutes. For the topping, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and brush warm tops of mini muffins with melted butter and then sprinkle tops with cinnamon/sugar.