Irresistible Apple Cider Donuts Recipe in Just 1 Hour

Okay, y’all, gather ’round! Let me tell you, if there’s one thing that screams “fall” louder than a pumpkin spice latte, it’s a warm, perfectly spiced apple cider donut. And trust me, honey, this apple cider donuts recipe? It’s not just good; it’s “stop what you’re doing and make these right now” good. I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, ever since I was a little girl helping my grandma at the apple orchard.

My favorite part is that first bite – that little bit of crispness from the fried dough gives way to this soft, apple-cinnamon explosion. It’s like a hug in donut form! You know, I’ve made these for countless supper clubs and cooking classes, and I’ve never had a single crumb left. So, if you’re ready to bring a little bit of Asheville autumn into your kitchen, let’s get baking (or frying, rather!). This easy apple cider donuts recipe is gonna be your new go-to, I promise!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

The Perfect Fall Treat

Seriously, y’all, these apple cider donuts just scream autumn! The smell alone will have you reaching for a cozy sweater and thinking about pumpkin patches. It’s like, if fall had a flavor, this would be it. And who doesn’t want a little bit of that in their life?

Easy to Make at Home

Don’t let “homemade donuts” scare you off. This apple cider donuts recipe is seriously simple! I promise, even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you can totally nail this. We’re talking basic ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. Trust me!

Bursting with Apple Cider Flavor

Okay, so here’s the thing: these aren’t just kinda apple-y. We’re talking a full-on apple cider explosion in every bite! Reducing the cider concentrates the flavor, so you get that real apple punch. It’s sweet, it’s spiced, it’s utterly addictive. You’ve been warned!

Ingredients for the Best Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Dough Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our dry ingredients first! You’ll need 4 cups of all-purpose flour – just the regular kind works great. Then, 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to give these babies some lift. For that warm, cozy spice, grab 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves. And don’t forget ½ teaspoon of salt to balance out the sweetness!

Wet Ingredients

Now for the good stuff! You’ll need 1 cup of granulated sugar and ½ cup of packed light brown sugar – make sure you really pack that brown sugar in for extra molasses-y goodness. Then, ½ cup (that’s one stick) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (you don’t want it melted!). Grab 2 large eggs, 1 cup of apple cider reduced down to ¼ cup (we’ll talk about that later!), ½ cup of applesauce (unsweetened is best), and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Glaze Ingredients

For that perfect, sweet finish, you’ll need 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider (start with 2 and add more until you get the right consistency), and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Easy peasy!

How to Make Apple Cider Donuts Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Dough for Your Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Alright, first things first: that apple cider! Pour that 1 cup of cider into a saucepan and simmer it over medium heat until it’s reduced down to about 1/4 cup. Trust me, this concentrates the apple flavor like whoa. Set it aside to cool – you don’t want it hot when it goes into the batter.

Now, in a large bowl, whisk together all those dry ingredients we talked about: the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Make sure it’s all nicely combined – nobody wants a clump of baking soda in their donut!

In a separate, larger bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer, if you’re fancy!), cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes a good 2-3 minutes. Then, beat in those eggs one at a time, followed by that cooled-down reduced apple cider, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Give it all a good mix until it’s nicely combined.

Okay, now for the slightly tricky part: gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and you’ll end up with tough donuts. We want soft and fluffy, remember? A few streaks of flour are totally fine. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This is important – it helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to handle later. Seriously, don’t skip the chilling!

Frying the Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Once your dough is chilled, it’s frying time! Pour about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven). Clip a candy thermometer to the side and heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Maintaining the right oil temperature is key here – too hot, and the donuts will burn on the outside before they’re cooked through; too cold, and they’ll be greasy. You can learn more about safe food temperatures to ensure your cooking is safe.

While the oil is heating, lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out the chilled dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out your donuts. If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use a biscuit cutter and then cut out the center with a smaller cutter or even a knife. Gather up the scraps, gently knead them together, and roll them out again to cut more donuts. Waste not, want not!

Carefully drop a few donuts into the hot oil at a time – don’t overcrowd the pot! Fry them for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.

Glazing Your Homemade Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

While the donuts are cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until you have a smooth glaze. It should be thick enough to coat the donuts nicely but thin enough to be pourable. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more apple cider; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Dip the warm donuts into the glaze, one at a time, and let the excess drip off. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to set. And that’s it! Now, try not to eat them all at once. (But I totally won’t judge you if you do!). Enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Getting the Right Dough Consistency

Okay, listen up, because this is important: don’t overmix that dough! Seriously, I can’t stress this enough. You want these apple cider donuts to be light and fluffy, not tough and chewy. Mix until just combined, and it’s okay if there are still a few streaks of flour. Trust me on this one!

Maintaining Oil Temperature

That oil temperature is key, y’all! Too hot, and your apple cider donuts will burn on the outside before they’re cooked through. Too cold, and they’ll soak up all that oil and be greasy. Aim for a steady 350°F (175°C), and adjust the heat as needed to keep it there. A candy thermometer is your best friend here!

Glazing Techniques

For the perfect glaze, make sure your donuts are still a little warm when you dip them. This helps the glaze adhere better. And don’t just dunk them in! Gently swirl them around to get an even coating, then let the excess drip off. A wire rack underneath will catch the drips and make cleanup a breeze. Plus, it’ll keep your donuts from getting soggy bottoms!

Apple Cider Donuts Recipe Variations

Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Okay, so frying isn’t your thing? No problem! You can totally bake these apple cider donuts. Just preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake them in a donut pan for about 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. They’ll be more like cake donuts, but still delicious! Just make sure to grease that pan well, or they might stick.

Different Glaze Flavors for Your Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Want to switch up the glaze? Go for it! A maple glaze is amazing with these – just substitute maple syrup for some of the apple cider. Or how about a brown butter glaze? Ooh, fancy! Just melt some butter until it’s browned and nutty, then whisk it into your powdered sugar and cider. Yum!

Adding Spices to Your Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Feeling adventurous? Throw in some different spices! A pinch of cardamom or allspice would be delicious. Or how about a little bit of ginger? Just don’t go overboard – you want the apple cider flavor to still shine through. A little goes a long way!

Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Complementary Drinks

Okay, so you’ve got your warm apple cider donuts…what to drink with them? Well, duh, more apple cider! But seriously, a mug of hot apple cider is the perfect pairing. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, a spiced apple cider cocktail. And for the kiddos (or the young at heart!), a glass of cold milk is always a winner.

Seasonal Sides

Want to make it a whole fall spread? How about a side of apple slices with peanut butter? Or maybe a little bowl of spiced nuts? You could even get crazy and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Trust me, it’s delicious!

Storing Your Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Best Storage Practices for Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Alright, so you managed not to eat all the apple cider donuts in one sitting? I’m impressed! To keep ’em fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re usually best enjoyed within a day or two, but they can last a little longer if you’re lucky!

Reheating Instructions for Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Want to warm up your apple cider donuts and make them taste like they’re fresh from the fryer? Pop them in the microwave for just a few seconds (like, 5-10 seconds – careful, they heat up fast!). Or, for a crispier donut, try warming them in a toaster oven or air fryer for a minute or two. Yum!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Can I make this Apple Cider Donuts Recipe ahead of time?

Well, you *can*, but honestly, these apple cider donuts are best fresh! The longer they sit, the more the glaze kind of melts and the donuts lose a little of their magic. If you absolutely need to, you can make the dough a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just let it sit out for about 30 minutes before rolling it out. But trust me, frying them fresh is worth the effort!

What is the best way to store my homemade Apple Cider Donuts Recipe?

Like I mentioned before, airtight is key! Pop those glazed apple cider donuts into an airtight container at room temperature. That’ll keep ’em as fresh as possible. Just don’t stack them too high, or the glaze will get smushed. Nobody wants a smushed donut!

Can I bake this Apple Cider Donuts recipe instead of frying?

Absolutely! If you’re looking for a slightly healthier (or just less messy!) option, you can totally bake these. They’ll turn out more like apple cider cake donuts, but they’ll still be delicious. Just bake them in a donut pan at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

What kind of Apple Cider is best for the Apple Cider Donuts Recipe?

Good question! You want to use real apple cider, not just apple juice. The cider has more of that concentrated apple flavor that we’re looking for. Fresh-pressed cider from a local orchard is always amazing, but any good quality apple cider from the store will work just fine. Just make sure it’s not the sparkling kind!

Disclaimer

Now, a quick note, y’all: those nutrition facts? They’re just estimates! Depending on the brands you use, your numbers might be a little different. So, take ’em with a grain of salt (or sugar!).

More About Max

Hey again! I’m Max, and I’ve been whipping up treats like these apple cider donuts in my Asheville kitchen for, well, longer than I care to admit! I run a little supper club and teach cooking classes ’round here, so I know my way around a recipe (and a mess!). My grandma taught me everything I know, and I’m just thrilled to share her (and my!) love of good food with you. If I can do it, trust me, you can too!

Enjoyed Our Apple Cider Donuts Recipe?

Well, sugar, I sure hope you loved this apple cider donuts recipe as much as I do! If you gave it a try, I’d just be tickled pink if you’d leave a comment down below and let me know how they turned out. Did you bake ’em or fry ’em? Did you try a fancy glaze? I wanna hear all about it!

And hey, if you’re feeling extra generous, a five-star rating would make my day! Plus, it helps other folks find this here apple cider donuts recipe, too. And if you’re on Pinterest or Facebook, a little share would mean the world to me! Happy baking, y’all!

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