Embrace Fall Flavors: The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Apple Pie Spice

A few years ago, my partner Will and I embarked on a memorable autumn adventure across picturesque New England. This trip was, in essence, my dream of a “spooky, Gilmore Girls” fall come to life – complete with vibrant foliage, charming small towns, and an abundance of seasonal delights. High on my personal checklist for this journey, alongside frequent visits to Trader Joe’s and capturing every pumpkin-spiced product imaginable, was the quintessential New England experience: trying an authentic apple cider donut! Call me “basic,” but some fall traditions are simply irresistible. And yes, I indulged in a Pumpkin Spice Latte every time one appeared on a menu!

During our travels, we had the pleasure of staying in a charming Airbnb situated above a general store in the heart of Vermont. It was an idyllic scene, almost too perfect to be real. The stoop overflowed with pumpkins, and a quaint wood-covered bridge stood gracefully opposite our lodging. I spent most of our stay exclaiming, “Just look at this! Isn’t it incredible?” On our final morning, before setting off, I asked Will to quickly pop back into the general store to grab an apple cider donut for me. I had noticed a sign for them earlier and thought it would be the perfect autumnal conclusion to our trip.

However, when he returned with the eagerly anticipated donut, my excitement quickly dwindled. It was… just okay. Quite dry, in fact. I was genuinely disappointed and declared right then and there that one day, I would make my own, far superior apple cider donuts. And so, here we are! (Will later confessed that he witnessed the store owner retrieving a frozen donut and microwaving it. He held onto this information, not wanting to spoil my “spooky Vermont vibe.” A true gentleman, that Will.) This personal quest led to the creation of this delightful recipe, ensuring that every bite delivers that authentic, moist, and flavorful apple cider donut experience.

Understanding Apple Cider: A Key Ingredient for Authentic Donuts

For those unfamiliar, particularly outside of North America, it’s important to distinguish between “apple cider” in the US and the UK. In the United Kingdom, apple cider is typically an alcoholic beverage, akin to a hard cider. Conversely, in the United States, apple cider refers to an unfiltered, non-alcoholic drink made from pressed apples. For my UK readers, imagine mulling spices, then add the robust, fresh flavor of apples – that’s essentially American apple cider!

Given that authentic American apple cider can be challenging to find here in the UK, I often resort to making my own. If you own a slow cooker, I highly recommend this approach; not only is it worth the effort for the depth of flavor, but it also infuses your home with an absolutely incredible, comforting aroma. It’s a sensory experience that truly signals the arrival of autumn. If you prefer not to make it from scratch, you can achieve a very similar result by using cloudy apple juice and infusing it with traditional mulling spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. These spices will help bridge the flavor gap and bring that warm, apple-pie essence to your donuts. If you’re interested in a detailed homemade apple cider recipe, please leave a comment below, and I’ll be sure to work on writing one up for you! And for those who enjoy a little extra warmth, a splash of bourbon added to your cider (for drinking, not the donuts!) can be a delightful autumnal treat – just sayin’.

The Benefits of Baking: Crafting Perfect Apple Cider Donuts Without the Fryer

I understand that not everyone is keen on the process of deep-frying with hot oil at home, which is precisely why I opted for the baked route for these delicious apple cider donuts. While I personally enjoy the occasional fried donut (though the lingering oil smell in the house and the feeling that my hair will never be truly clean again are definite downsides!), baked donuts offer several distinct advantages. Primarily, they tend to stay fresh significantly longer than their fried counterparts. This means you can enjoy these delightful treats for a few days without worrying about them going stale too quickly. Furthermore, choosing to bake means there’s no yeast involved in this recipe, eliminating any lengthy resting or proofing times. The batter comes together incredibly fast, making this a much quicker and less intimidating baking project.

The main preparation step you’ll need to undertake for these baked apple cider donuts is creating the concentrated apple cider base. Unless you have a pre-made reduction or prefer to use spiced cloudy apple juice, you’ll want to boil down your apple cider. This reduction process is crucial as it intensifies the apple flavor, creating a much more concentrated and “apple-y” (yes, that’s a perfectly valid descriptor in the culinary world!) essence that shines through in every bite of the donut. This step ensures that your donuts are bursting with that unmistakable autumnal apple goodness.

This is the donut pan that I used for my recipe. A good quality non-stick pan is essential, but even then, I highly recommend greasing it thoroughly to prevent any sticking. The easiest and cleanest method to get your batter into the donut tray is by using a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with one corner snipped off. This allows for precise filling and minimizes mess. I typically pipe each ring about two-thirds full, and then I use the back of a spoon to gently spread the batter and create an even surface, ensuring perfectly shaped donuts every time.

This particular recipe is a loving adaptation from the renowned New York Times Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts Recipe, refined and personalized to achieve that perfect balance of moist texture and rich fall flavor.

The Irresistible Apple Pie Spice Coating: Elevating Your Donuts

Once your delectable apple cider donuts are baked to golden perfection, the final, crucial step is to give them their signature, irresistible coating. This transforms them from simple baked goods into true autumnal masterpieces. First, you’ll gently brush each warm donut with a luscious mixture of melted butter and additional apple cider. This not only adds another layer of apple flavor but also provides the perfect sticky base for the spice coating. I highly recommend using a pastry brush for this step, rather than attempting to dunk the donuts. Baked donuts are quite porous, and dunking them can cause them to break apart easily, especially when warm.

The key to a successful coating is ensuring the donuts are still warm when you apply the butter-cider mixture and then the sugar. If they cool too much, the sugar mixture won’t adhere properly. For the coating itself, I’ve crafted a special “apple pie spice” blend that truly mimics the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie. This mixture combines both granulated sugar and light brown sugar for depth, along with a generous medley of warming spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a touch of ginger work in harmony to create that nostalgic, cozy, and deeply flavorful experience that is synonymous with apple pie. Roll the brushed donuts liberally in this fragrant sugar-spice blend, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered, for a truly extraordinary finish that perfectly complements the moist, apple-infused interior.

Recipe: Homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts