Caramel Apple Cider Donuts
Fall in a donut, y’all. 🍎 These Caramel Apple Cider Donuts are baked, not fried, with a cinnamon-sugar crust and warm caramel dripping down.
The batter has apple cider, applesauce, cinnamon and a little nutmeg. Once they’re baked, each donut gets brushed with melted butter, tossed in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with caramel.
Make them on a cool fall morning and your kitchen will smell amazing.
Why You’ll Love It
- Baked, not fried. No pot of oil needed.
- Real apple cider flavor. Cider and applesauce go right in the batter.
- Cinnamon-sugar crust. Just like the orchard donuts.
- Caramel drizzle. The warm caramel takes them over the top.
- Makes 8 to 10. Enough to share… maybe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Flour, sugar and leaveners: Baking powder and baking soda make them light.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg and salt: Those cozy fall spices.
- Apple cider and applesauce: For apple flavor and a moist donut.
- Egg, oil and vanilla: The rest of the wet ingredients.
- Butter, cinnamon sugar and caramel sauce: For the coating and drizzle.
You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make It
Heat the oven and grease your donut pan. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in one bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the apple cider, applesauce, egg, oil and vanilla, then fold it into the dry ingredients until just combined. Fill each donut spot about 3/4 full and bake until they’re springy. Let them cool a few minutes and pop them out. Brush each donut with melted butter, toss it in the cinnamon sugar, and drizzle with warm caramel.
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Cider Donuts
- Don’t overmix. Fold the wet into the dry until just combined.
- Fill 3/4 full. That keeps the donut holes open.
- Check for springy tops. They’re done when they spring back when touched.
- Coat them while warm. The butter and cinnamon sugar stick best then.
- Warm the caramel. It drizzles more easily.
Team caramel drizzle or keep it classic cinnamon-sugar? 🍩
Caramel Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan.
- Whisk the flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk the apple cider, applesauce, egg, oil, and vanilla. Fold into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fill each donut cavity ¾ full. Bake 10–12 minutes, until springy to the touch. Cool 5 minutes, then pop out of the pan.
- Brush each donut with melted butter and toss in the cinnamon-sugar (½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon).
- Drizzle with warm caramel and serve!
Notes
- Fill each donut cavity 3/4 full.
- The coating is 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon.
