Irresistible Apple Cider Donuts With Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe
These Irresistible Apple Cider Donuts feature a soft, spiced dough infused with apple cider and coated in a fragrant cinnamon sugar crust. Perfect for fall or any time you’re craving a warm, sweet treat with a hint of spice, these fried donuts are delightfully tender and bursting with autumn flavors.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until it reduces by half, approximately 10-15 minutes. This intensifies the apple flavor and helps concentrate the sweetness.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, and ¼ tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the reduced apple cider, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup melted butter (cool slightly), 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
- Shape Donuts: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use donut cutters or two round cutters (one large and one small) to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Fry Donuts: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts in batches for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While donuts are still warm, toss them in a mixture of ½ cup sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until thoroughly coated.
Notes
- Make sure the oil temperature is steady at 350°F to ensure even cooking without greasy donuts.
- Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor impact; cloudy or spiced ciders may alter the taste.
- For a baked version, bake donuts at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, then coat with cinnamon sugar.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, fall treats, fried donuts, spiced donuts, autumn recipe