Apple Cider Donuts

These apple cider donuts are tender and crispy on the outside, coated with cinnamon sugar, and full of apple cider flavor. Reduced apple cider and apple butter are the secrets to making these homemade donuts super apple-y. 

Best Apple Cider Donuts

🍁🍂 Talk about fall feels. These apple cider donuts will rock your taste buds. 🍎

What is so special about apple cider donuts?

Apple cider donuts originated in the Northeast and are found at cider houses. Cider donuts are made by adding apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the donut dough.

What state is famous for apple cider donuts?

Red Apple is a roadside fruit stand and bakery located at 4950 CA-4 in Murphys, California. They specialize in homemade apple pies and apple cider doughnuts.

Kitchen Equipment For Making Donuts

As with any recipe, the tools make the job easier. Here are a few things you’ll need to ensure donut success. 

• A cast iron dutch oven — is King when it comes to deep-frying. Cast iron holds heat well, so the oil stays relatively constant.
• Thermometers — Accuracy is essential in baking and cooking alike. Having a candy thermometer for deep frying is essential.
• A Stand Mixer — A stand mixer fixed with a paddle attachment makes dough making easy.
• High-quality rimmed baking sheets (affiliate link) — rimmed baking sheets will last forever and can be used for baking and sheet pan dinners.
• Pastry cutters — OR a donut cutter.  Make sure to dunk the edges in flour before cutting so they won’t stick to your dough.
• Parchment paper — This may be my most utilized kitchen tool. I use it practically every time I cook. I am convinced that parchment paper-lined baking sheets have saved me hours of cleaning time.

Apple Cider Donut Ingredients

• Dry Ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt
• Sugar: white granulated sugar and brown sugar
• Butter: unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• Buttermilk: gives these donuts their tender texture
• Eggs: at room temperature
• Spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract
• Apple Cider: this will be reduced to a syrup
• Apple Butter: which isn’t butter at all but is usually found in the jam section of the grocery store. 
• Vegetable oil: You can use canola oil or coconut oil for frying. 

How To Make Apple Cider Donuts

Bite into Fall: The ultimate Apple Cider Donut recipe revealed.

Step 1: Make the concentrated apple cider

• Add the apple cider and the cinnamon stick to a medium saucepan. Bring the cider to a simmer over medium-high and reduce it until you have about ⅓ of a cup. It will be syrupy.
• Transfer the apple cider syrup to a medium bowl to cool.
• Add the apple butter, buttermilk, and the vanilla. Whisk to incorporate.

Step 2: Make the dough

• Combine the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
• In a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, the brown sugar, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—5 to 7 minutes. 
• Slow the mixer and add the eggs in one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. 
• Turn off the mixer and add half of the flour mixture and half of the cider mixture. Mix briefly until just incorporated.
• Repeat with the remaining flour and cider mixture.

Step 3: Form and chill the dough

• Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and dusting it with flour.
• Scrape the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Dust your hands and the top of the dough with more flour and pat it down until it is about 3/4 of an inch thick.
• Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 3 hours, up to overnight.

Step 4: Cut out the donuts

• Punch out your donuts with a 3¼ inch round pastry cutter.
• Punch out the centers with a 1¼ inch round pastry cutter.
• Gather the scraps and repress, try not to work the dough too much.
• You should end up with 18 donuts. Roll the remaining dough into holes.
• Cover the dough and place it back in the fridge to chill while you heat up the oil. 

Step 5: Set Up The Dutch Oven

• Get your dutch oven ready and warming. Add about 3 inches of oil and set up the candy thermometer in the pan. Set the pan on low while preparing the donuts, then turn it up to medium-high when you are ready to fry your donuts.

Step 6: Make Cinnamon Sugar

• Get your cinnamon sugar mixture ready by whisking together 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.

Step 7: Get ready to make donuts

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack over the top to serve as your cooling rack.
• When the oil has reached 350°F, add one layer of donuts. Fry for about 90 seconds, flip them over, and fry for another 90 seconds. Repeat in 90-second intervals if needed.
• Fry the donut holes for 2 minutes on each side.
• Transfer the donuts to the wire rack and cool slightly.
• Toss the donuts into the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm. 

FAQs and Expert Tips

How to store Apple Cider Donuts

To keep cider donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container. The are usually good for two to three days.

Can I freeze apple cider donuts?

Apple cider donuts can be frozen. If you are going to freeze them, leave them unsugared and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Thaw and warm in the oven. Brush with melted butter and then toss in cinnamon sugar before serving. 

Hungry For More dessert recipes?

• Pumpkin Donuts. 
• Pumpkin Oatmeal
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Caramel Sauce
• Banana Cake
• Cherry Crumble with Almond Cream 
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Pineapple Sweet Rolls