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Cinnamon Vanilla Glazed Apple Cider Donuts

Desserts Donuts and Scones Fall Recipes Seasonal Favorites

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 These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are baked to perfection with hints of fall spices and sweet apple cider. Covered in a vanilla glaze that’s sweetened with cinnamon, these donuts are easy to make and the perfect treat for fall!

A stack of three baked apple cider donuts with a fourth leaning against the stack.

I love fall for many reasons, but one in particular is because of apple cider. It’s usually available year-round at my grocery store, but I never buy it then. It just seems wrong to drink it in the spring or summer. Instead, I patiently wait until September hits to buy a gallon (or two) of apple cider.

And if the hubster and I go apple picking or to a pumpkin farm, I always buy apple cider there, too. It just seems to taste better knowing that it came from a fall-type place. Know what I mean?

So now that fall is in full swing, I’ve been drinking a lot of apple cider. I love sipping on a hot mug at night, or drinking it in over ice during the day. It’s so refreshing and tastes like fall in glass.

If you share my love for apple cider, then you’ll especially love this baked apple cider donut recipe. These donuts are baked to perfection with hints of fall spices and sweet apple cider. Covered in a vanilla glaze that’s sweetened with cinnamon, these donuts are easy to make and the perfect treat for fall.

A stack of three baked apple cider donuts with the top donut missing a bite.
 
If you always have apple cider in your fridge come fall, then these homemade apple cider cake donuts are perfect for you. The combination of the cider and spices creates a batter that is full of flavor.

The apple cider pairs well with the cinnamon and nutmeg, giving these cuties the perfect fall taste. These donuts bake up thick and soft, which is a necessity in my book.

And let’s talk about that cinnamon vanilla glaze. It’s finger-lickin’ good! I’m not even going to admit how many spoonfuls I “tested” before glazing the donuts.

And it’s so easy to prepare, too! Just whisk together some powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. It combines hints of vanilla and cinnamon that pair perfectly with the apple cider donut. Trust me, this will be your new favorite glaze!

A stack of baked apple cider cake donuts. The top donut has a bite missing.

Ingredients for Baked Apple Cider Donuts 

These cinnamon-vanilla glazed donuts have two parts: the apple cider donut itself and the sweet glaze. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder and baking soda
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
  • Milk
  • Apple cider
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla bean paste (or extract) 
  • Unsalted butter
  • Powdered sugar
A stack of three baked apple cider donuts. More donuts and a jar of cider rest in the background.

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Did I mention how easy these homemade apple cider donuts are to make? Everything is made in one bowl (besides the glaze), with no mixer required.

  1. Just whisk together the dry ingredients, add in the wet, and stir to combine.
  2. To pour the batter neatly into the donut pan, I spooned the mixture into a large ziplock bag and then snipped the end off so that I could pipe in the filling. This makes for a much easier (and cleaner) way to get the batter into the pan. 
  3. Once the donuts are baked and cooled, prepare the cinnamon vanilla glaze and dunk in those donuts!

One bite and you’ll fall in love with the soft texture and cozy flavor of these vanilla glazed apple cider cake donuts. These donuts scream “fall” and are best enjoyed with a tall glass of fresh apple cider.

How Long Do Apple Cider Donuts Last? 

These baked apple cider cake donuts are best enjoyed right away. However, they’ll last up to 3 days at room temperature. 

Can Apple Cider Donuts Be Frozen? 

Yes, they can be stored in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing them without the glaze for best results. 

A stack of three baked apple cider donuts.

Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donuts

  • Note that this recipe calls for non-alcoholic apple cider. It’s a still apple beverage that has already been spiced. Depending on where you live, it may be called mulled apple cider or something similar. 
  • You can use any type of milk you’d like in this recipe. If using a non-dairy milk, make sure it’s unsweetened. 
  • I used this recipe to make regular sized baked donuts, but you can use a mini donut pan if preferred. Just note that the bake time will be drastically reduced. 

Looking for More Apple Dessert Recipes? 

These Cinnamon Vanilla Glazed Donuts are baked to perfection with hints of fall spices and sweet apple cider. Covered in a vanilla glaze that's sweetened with cinnamon, these donuts are easy to make and the perfect treat for fall!
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Baked Apple Cider Donuts

 These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are baked to perfection with hints of fall spices and sweet apple cider. Easy to make and perfect for fall!
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword donut recipe, fall recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 18 donuts
Calories 161kcal

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
  • 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter , melted

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two donut pans with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add in the cider, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and butter. Stir to combine
  • Pour mixture into a large ziplock bag and cut tip of bottom corner. Pipe mixture into prepared donut pan. Alternatively, you can spoon batter into donut tin.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until donuts are slightly firm. Remove from oven and cool completely before adding the glaze.
  • To prepare the glaze, add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla bean paste/extract, and cinnamon to a medium bowl. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Take each donut and dunk about halfway into glaze. Repeat with rest of donuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1donut | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. Mir says

    Every year we hit the apple orchard for fresh caramel apples and apple cider! It’s the best. Almost like a consolation prize for enduring colder temps. I’m glad you got your gallons stocked up, Gayle!
    These donuts look great. I’m a huge fan!

    Reply

  4. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    We just bought our first few gallons of apple cider too! My little siblings seriously love the stuff so much, we literally must buy the apple orchard out! I’m thinking I’m gonna have to stash away at least SOME apple cider because I REALLY just need to make these donuts asap! Love that glaaaaze!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I think I’ve consumed more apple cider than I should have already, and it’s not even October! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Sarah!

      Reply

  19. Beverley @ sweaty&fit says

    Gayle I am the exact same way when it comes to Apple Cider! It’s soo good, but it feels wrong to have it until about this time of year. These donuts look so fluffy and delicious, and i am loving the vanilla combined with cinnamon. mm!

    Reply

  21. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    Doughnuts are the way to my heart! I seriously love them! These looks amazing! AND I just bought my first bottle of Apple Cider for the season so I see some of these in my very near future! 😉

    Reply

  22. Ashley says

    haha I’m the same way! It feels wrong to drink apple cider any other time of the year! These donuts sound amazing Gayle! Hope you had a great weekend!!

    Reply

  25. marcie says

    The apple cider must taste better at an apple farm! And I haven’t made baked donuts in way too long — these look so fluffy I’m dying to fix that ASAP. Pinned!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I hope you love these if you try them, Janice! Please let me know how they turned out, and thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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