Heavenly Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts With Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

My weekend mornings spark with unexpected joy when baked apple cider doughnuts appear on our kitchen counter.

Crisp autumn winds whisper sweet promises through these delectable treats.

Warm spices dance across soft, pillowy rounds that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

Cozy memories of farmhouse kitchens emerge with each delicate bite.

Maple’s rich sweetness weaves through tender crumbs, creating a sensory experience that feels like a culinary hug.

Cinnamon and apple notes blend into pure comfort, promising pure delight.

Savor these moments and let magic unfold with every remarkable doughnut.

Why Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts with Cinnamon Maple Glaze Are So Cozy

• Quick Morning Delight: Whip up these doughnuts in less than 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy households craving a special breakfast treat.
• Autumn Flavor Explosion: Packed with reduced apple cider, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a rich maple glaze, these doughnuts capture the essence of fall in every bite.
• Healthier Baking Option: Baked instead of fried, these doughnuts offer a lighter alternative to traditional deep-fried versions while maintaining incredible moisture and taste.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Easy enough for beginners yet sophisticated enough to impress, these doughnuts work wonderfully for casual weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or afternoon coffee breaks.

Ingredients Behind Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the doughnuts.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Key leavening agents to help doughnuts rise and become fluffy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that add depth and autumnal flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.

• Apple Cider: Concentrated base that provides rich, tangy apple flavor.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the doughnuts.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps create structure.
• Apple Butter: Intensifies apple flavor and adds natural sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides subtle depth and aromatic complexity.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness to the batter.
• Maple Syrup: Creates a smooth, rich glaze with natural sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Helps thicken and sweeten the glaze.
• Instant Coffee: Adds subtle depth to the glaze flavor.
• Fresh Apple: Provides texture and fresh apple chunks throughout doughnuts.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Offers a sweet, spicy coating for the apple pieces.

Baking Apple Cider Doughnuts with Maple Glaze

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Generously coat a doughnut pan with butter to ensure easy release of your delightful treats.

Step 2: Concentrate Apple Cider

Boil apple cider in a saucepan over high heat.

Reduce temperature and let it simmer, allowing the liquid to condense and intensify in flavor.

Continue until the cider reduces to about half a cup.

Set aside to cool.

Step 3: Mix Doughnut Batter

• Reduced apple cider
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Apple butter
• Vanilla extract
• Brown sugar

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture.

Sprinkle chopped apples with cinnamon sugar, then fold into batter.

Step 4: Bake Golden Doughnuts

Fill doughnut pan cavities two-thirds full with batter.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for 12-13 minutes until perfectly set.

Allow doughnuts to cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing from pan.

Step 5: Create Luscious Maple Glaze

Brown butter in a small pot over medium heat until it develops a toasty aroma.

• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Instant coffee
• Cinnamon

Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 6: Finish with Glaze

Dunk or drizzle cooled doughnuts with the maple glaze.

Serve warm for maximum enjoyment.

Must-Know Moves for Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Simmer apple cider slowly to concentrate flavors and create a rich, intense base for the doughnuts without burning.
• Gently fold ingredients until just combined to keep doughnuts tender and avoid tough, dense texture.
• Use recently purchased ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for maximum flavor and aromatic warmth in the doughnuts.
• Adjust powdered sugar amount to achieve perfect drizzling or dipping thickness for maple cinnamon glaze.
• Enjoy doughnuts fresh from the oven when glaze is still slightly warm and doughnuts are at peak softness.

Reheat Apple Cider Doughnuts with Maple Glaze

• Store leftover doughnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each doughnut individually in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss.
• Place doughnuts in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm doughnuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. Avoid overheating to maintain their soft texture.
• Drizzle with fresh glaze after reheating to restore the original moisture and flavor intensity.

Drinks That Go with Apple Cider Doughnuts

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai Latte: Complement the apple cider doughnuts' warm spices with a creamy, fragrant chai latte that echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg notes in the recipe.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by adding a scoop of cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream that balances the doughnuts' warm, spiced flavor profile.
• Match with Caramel Apple Sangria: Elevate the dessert experience with a crisp, sweet caramel apple sangria that enhances the apple and cinnamon undertones of the doughnuts.
• Enjoy with Maple Pecan Coffee: Complete the autumn-inspired treat with a rich, nutty maple pecan coffee that harmonizes with the doughnuts' maple glaze and deep, comforting flavors.

Apple Cider Doughnuts Flavor Enhancements

• Gluten-Free Apple Cider Doughnuts: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring a celiac-friendly treat without compromising taste or texture.
• Vegan Spiced Doughnuts: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter alternative, and select dairy-free maple syrup for a completely plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Apple Delight: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener, reduce maple syrup in glaze, and use stevia for a diabetes-friendly option that maintains rich apple flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Cider Circles: Create a low-carb adaptation using coconut flour, almond flour, sugar-free sweeteners, and incorporating cream cheese for added richness and texture.

FAQs

• Can I use store-bought apple cider?

Yes, you can use store-bought apple cider. Just make sure to reduce it as instructed in the recipe to concentrate the flavor and create a richer taste profile for the doughnuts.

• Is it necessary to use apple butter?

Apple butter adds depth and moisture to the doughnuts, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with applesauce or additional reduced apple cider to maintain the apple flavor and texture.

• What if I don't have a doughnut pan?

If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can use a muffin pan to make apple cider muffins. The baking time might need slight adjustment, so keep an eye on them while baking.

• Can I make these doughnuts gluten-free?

To make gluten-free doughnuts, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use one designed for baking to maintain the right texture and consistency.

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts With Cinnamon Maple Glaze Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm cider doughnuts beckon with nostalgic New England charm, promising pure autumn comfort in each Cinnamon Maple Glaze-coated bite. Sweet spices and rich maple notes weave delightful memories you’ll savor long after the last crumb disappears.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup apple butter

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 honeycrisp apple, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

For the Brown Butter Cinnamon Maple Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare a doughnut or muffin pan by coating it with melted butter, ensuring even coverage for effortless removal.
2. Transform apple cider into a concentrated liquid by simmering over gentle heat until reduced to approximately half its original volume, creating an intensely flavored base.
3. Craft the doughnut batter by whisking together the reduced apple cider, melted butter, eggs, apple butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar until thoroughly integrated.
4. Incorporate dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, mixing until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
5. Gently fold cinnamon-sugar coated apple pieces into the batter, distributing them evenly for bursts of fruity sweetness throughout each doughnut.
6. Fill the prepared pan cavities two-thirds full with the batter, creating uniform portions for consistent baking.
7. Bake in a preheated oven until the doughnuts are golden and set, approximately 12-13 minutes, allowing them to develop a delicate crust.
8. Allow the baked doughnuts to rest in the pan for five minutes, then carefully release them using a knife and transfer to a cooling rack.
9. Create a luxurious glaze by browning butter until it develops a nutty aroma, then whisk in maple syrup, powdered sugar, instant coffee, and ground cinnamon until silky smooth.
10. Enhance the doughnuts by generously dipping or drizzling them with the aromatic glaze, serving them while still warm for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Reduce apple cider slowly to concentrate its rich, tangy flavor and create a more intense apple essence in the doughnuts.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the doughnuts tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help them blend more smoothly and create a more consistent batter.
• Swap apples with different seasonal fruits like pears or add nuts for extra crunch and variety.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg