Description

Soft, cakey apple cider donuts coated in cinnamon sugar. This foolproof recipe uses real apple cider and applesauce for moisture, requiring no yeast and minimal equipment.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (plus extra for coating)
½ cup (115g) butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120g) unsweetened applesauce
½ cup (120ml) fresh-pressed apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (for coating)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
¼ cup (55g) butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking, or heat oil to 350°F (175°C) if frying.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, applesauce, melted butter, apple cider, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix; batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
For Baking: Grease a donut pan and fill cavities ¾ full. Bake for 10-12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes.
For Frying: Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil, 2-3 at a time. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
While donuts are warm, brush lightly with melted butter and roll in the mixture of 1 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts. Use fresh apple cider for best flavor. If frying, maintain oil temperature at 350°F. Donuts can be made ahead; refrigerate batter for up to 24 hours or freeze baked donuts (without coating) for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 180
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 150
Fat: 5
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 1
Protein: 3

Keywords: apple cider donuts, fall recipes, easy donuts, cake donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, autumn baking, no yeast donuts