Apple Cider Donuts
This traditional apple cider donuts recipe brings the warm, spiced flavors of fall right to your kitchen. These donuts are soft, fluffy, and packed with the rich taste of apple cider, perfect for cozy mornings or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups apple cider you’ll reduce this for maximum flavor
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger optional, for extra warmth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Reduce the apple cider
- Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer until it reduces to about ½ cup, which takes around 10–15 minutes. This step intensifies the apple flavor, so don’t skip it! Once reduced, set it aside to cool.
Mix the dry ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (if using), and salt. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed.
Combine the wet ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, egg, vanilla extract, and the cooled reduced apple cider. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Make the dough
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Cut out the donuts
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out your donuts, and don’t forget to save the donut holes to fry as well!
Heat the oil
- In a large pot or deep fryer, heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a candy thermometer to keep the oil at the right temperature for frying.
Fry the donuts
- Carefully add a few donuts to the hot oil, being sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1–2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Coat in cinnamon-sugar
- While the donuts are still warm, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated. This step makes them extra delicious and gives them that classic look.