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These baked apple cider donuts are soft, spiced, and coated in cinnamon sugar. They’re easy to make, full of fall flavor, and perfect when you want a small batch treat.
Featured Comment
“My new favorite donut recipe!! Tastes like fall which I absolutely LOVE.”
– Deborah
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: No special tools or tricky steps required.
- Quick: Mix, bake, and enjoy in about 30 minutes.
- Fresh Flavor: Soft, spiced donuts with a homemade taste.
- Small Batch: Makes 6 donuts, just the right amount.
If you’re looking for a fall treat that’s easy to make and full of flavor, these baked apple cider donuts are it. I make them every year when apple season rolls around, and they never last long.
The warm spices, buttery coating, and soft texture make each bite taste like autumn. You don’t need a deep fryer or fancy tools, just a donut pan and a few simple ingredients. Give them a try, you’ll be glad you did.
Looking for more small batch apple recipes? Try our mini dutch apple pie, small apple galette, single serving apple crisp, small batch apple fritters, two baked apples, or small batch apple cinnamon scones.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch apple donuts recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apple Cider: Provides the classic apple flavor. Apple cider works best, but you can use unfiltered apple juice if needed. Avoid clear or sparkling juice. Do not use apple cider vinegar, it is not the same.
- Sugars: A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar adds sweetness and moisture. No brown sugar? Make your own with our small batch brown sugar recipe.
- Egg yolk: Use only the yolk for best texture. Save the egg white for another egg white recipe like a mini Texas sheet cake or two vanilla cupcakes.
- Milk: A small amount helps create a soft, tender crumb. Almond or oat milk works for a dairy-free version.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Reduce Apple Cider
Reducing apple cider concentrates the flavor and is key to making flavorful apple cider donuts.
To reduce apple cider:
- Measure: Pour 1 1/4 cups apple cider into a small saucepan.
- Boil: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Lower heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/4 cup.
- Cool: Let cool before using in the batter.
Tip: If you reduce it too much, add a little water to bring it back to 1/4 cup. You can do this step up to 2 days in advance.
How To Make Apple Cider Donuts
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make baked apple cider donuts. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Make the Donut Batter:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, reduced apple cider, and milk.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth and fully combined.
- Fill the Donut Pan:
- Lightly grease a donut pan and fill each cavity about 2/3 full.
- You can spoon in the batter or use a piping bag for cleaner filling.
- No piping bag? Use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the batter.
- Bake:
- Bake in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven for 15–17 minutes, or until the edges and tops are lightly browned.
Pro Tip: Gently press the top of a donut, if it springs back, it’s done.
- Cool and Add Topping:
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Melt the butter in one bowl. In another bowl, stir together the cinnamon and sugar. Dip each donut in melted butter, then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Use Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is not the same as apple cider and will not work in this recipe.
- Use the Right Topping: Cinnamon sugar gives these donuts their classic flavor. You can skip it to reduce sugar, but the taste will change.
- Mix Gently: Overmixing can make the donuts dense and gummy. Mix until just combined.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Stir the flour first, then spoon it into your dry measuring cup and level off. Don’t scoop directly from the bag.
- Check Your Oven Temp: Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is baking at the correct temperature. This helps avoid under or overbaking.
No Donut Pan? Try These Options
No donut pan? You can still enjoy the flavors of these apple cider donuts in other forms. The batter works well for muffins or a mini cake. Just note that the texture may vary slightly due to longer baking times.
- Apple Cider Muffins: Spoon the batter into 4 to 5 greased or lined muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 18–20 minutes.
- Mini Apple Cider Cake: Pour the batter into a 5×5-inch baking dish. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 25–27 minutes.
- Optional Topping (Highly Recommended): Brush melted butter over the muffins or cake and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for the classic flavor and crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, use unfiltered apple juice if needed. Avoid clear or sparkling juice. Do not use apple cider vinegar.
Yes. Use a muffin pan to make apple cider muffins or a small baking dish for a mini cake. See the post for details.
Yes, reducing the cider concentrates the flavor and is key to getting the rich apple taste in the donuts.
Yes, cider donuts can be frozen, coated, or not coated with the topping. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm them in the microwave.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best eaten the same day but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch of apple cider donuts or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Small Batch Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup apple cider
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter -melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
For the Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour 1 ¼ cups apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to ¼ cup. Let cool for 10 minutes.Note: You can do this step in advance. Store the reduced cider in the fridge until ready to use.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly spray a donut pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, reduced apple cider, and milk.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the 6 greased donut cavities, filling each about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the edges and tops are lightly browned.Tip: Gently press the top of a donut—if it springs back, they’re done.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Make the topping: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in one bowl. In another, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Dip both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.These donuts are best enjoyed fresh.
Notes
- Don’t Use Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is not the same as apple cider and will not work in this recipe.
- Use the Right Topping: Cinnamon sugar gives these donuts their classic flavor. You can skip it to reduce sugar, but the taste will change.
- Mix Gently: Overmixing can make the donuts dense and gummy. Mix until just combined.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Stir the flour first, then spoon it into your dry measuring cup and level off. Don’t scoop directly from the bag.
- Check Your Oven Temp: Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is baking at the correct temperature. This helps avoid under or overbaking.
- Apple Cider Muffins: Transform the batter into muffins by pouring it into lightly greased muffin tins (or use liners) and filling them ¾ full. Bake at 350 F (177 C) for about 18-20 minutes. You’ll have enough for 4-5 scrumptious muffins.
- Mini Apple Cider Cake: Use a 5×5-inch baking dish and bake at 350 F (177 C) for 25-27 minutes. Small 10-ounce ramekins or mini loaf pans are also suitable.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping (Highly Recommended): For that extra touch, brush melted butter over the muffins or cake, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. It enhances the flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Just made your small batch. Came out perfect. I love your small batch recipes. Shared with a neighbor, my son and wife and my husband and I.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy to know the donuts were enjoyed by all.
I’m a newly diagnosed celiac patient and an curious, can I substitute gluten free flour for ‘regular’ flour?
Hi Sharon, I’ve tested several of our recipes with King Arthur brand Gluten Free 1:1 flour with success. Although I have not tested this donut recipe with GF flour, based on my other tests with our baked goods recipes, I believe you can substitute here too.
Made 15 mini muffins. They were delightful! Thank you so much, Joanie, for all these wonderful recipes! You are making me into a cook!
I’m so happy you enjoyed them, Deb!
My new favorite donut recipe!! Tastes like fall which i absolutely LOVE
I love apple cider donuts! Followed your instructions and tips to a T except used a (15) mini muffin tin. They were perfect!! Having had limited experience cooking, I find that using your website is a great way to build my confidence.(w/o wasting a lot) Thank you so much, Joanie!!
These donuts are so easy and delicious! Perfect for fall. Thanks Joanie!
Great recipe.