Baked Cider Donuts

Capture the cozy spirit of the season with the ultimate baked apple cider donut recipe! Featuring a delightful combination of Honeycrisp apples, fresh cider, warming spices and a glossy glaze, these cider donuts are delicious moist, perfectly tender, and ideally spiced. Best of all, you'll need just 25 minutes to make them.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 Cup Apple Cider ((SEE NOTES))
• 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 2 TBS Unsalted Butter (- melted & cooled)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 whole Honeycrisp Apple (– peeled, grated & gently squeezed dry (about 1/2 cup) (SEE NOTES))
• 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1-2 TBS Heavy Cream ((SEE NOTES))
• Optional Garnishes: Gold Sprinkles, Ground Cinnamon, Crushed Toasted Walnuts

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Reduce the Apple cider: Add the apple cider to a small saucepan and place on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Bring the cider to a boil and then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a rapid simmer.Cook the apple cider until until it's been reduced by half (to about half a cup), about 6-10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool completely to room temperature. (NOTE 1: You will be using 1/3 cup of reduced cider in the donuts and 2 tablespoons of reduced cider in the glaze)(NOTE 2: You can reduce the cider ahead of time! Simply transfer the reduced cider to a storage container, let it cool, and then store in the refrigerator.)
2. 2Preheat Oven and Prep Donut Pan: Preheat Oven and Prepare Donut Pan: Arrange the oven rack to the middle position and then preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease with butter.
3. 3Combine Dry Ingredients: Start the Donut Batter – Mix DryIngredients: In a large bowl with whisk, or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
4. 4Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the egg, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup of reduced cider. Whisk until smooth.
5. 5Mix Wet and Dry, Add Apples: Add the Wet Ingredients to the Dry, Add Apples: Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and mix until the batter is JUST combined. Add the grated apples to the batter and then use a spatula to gently fold the ingredients until they're JUST combined. (Note: The batter should be thick)
6. 6Pipe Batter into Donut Pan: Transfer the Donut Batter to a Bag: Spoon the batter into a large piping bag, or zip-closure bag with the tip snipped off. (SEE NOTES)Pipe the donut batter into the pan cavities, filling each about ¾ of the way full (the batter will expand and rise).
7. 7Bake Cider Donuts: Bake In Preheated Oven: Transfer the apple cider donuts to the preheated oven and bake for 14-18 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden brown around the edges and the top of donut springs back to touch. Remove from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before using a thin spatula to remove the donuts from the pan. Transfer the donuts to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes before glazing.
8. 8Cool Donuts and Make Glaze: While the Donuts are Baking, Make the Glaze: To a small, shallow bowl (you want to be able to dip the donuts), add the sugar, 2 tablespoons of reduced apple cider, and heavy cream. Use a whisk and stir the ingredients together until thoroughly combined. (SEE NOTES)
9. 9Glaze and Serve Apple Cider Donuts: Glaze and Serve Baked Apple Cider Donuts: Dip the cooled donut tops into the glaze and transfer to a wire rack. Sprinkle with crushed walnuts, sprinkles and cinnamon. Allow to dry or serve immediately. Enjoy!