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Kid-Approved Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Easy Cinnamon Sugar Recipe)

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These baked apple cider donuts are tender, cakey, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Made with reduced apple cider for intense flavor, they’re a quick and easy family favorite that kids love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered is best)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¼ cup milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ⅓ cup (10-12 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 6-cavity donut pan generously with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ¾ cup sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, ¼ cup melted butter, milk, vanilla, and cooled reduced cider until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined (do not overmix). Batter will be thick.
  6. Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with corner snipped. Pipe into donut cavities, filling each about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  8. Mix ½ cup sugar and 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon in a shallow dish. Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl.
  9. While donuts are still warm (about 3-5 minutes out of oven), brush each generously with melted butter on both sides, then dip into cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
  10. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. For best results, coat donuts while still warm (3-5 minutes out of oven) so butter soaks in and sugar sticks. Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 3 months; thaw, warm, then coat with butter and cinnamon sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, kid-friendly breakfast, fall donuts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/kid-approved-baked-apple-cider-donuts-easy-cinnamon-sugar-recipe/