Soft Irresistible Cozy Apple Cider Donuts in 30 Minutes

There’s nothing quite like the smell of cozy apple cider donuts baking in the oven on a crisp fall morning. That warm, cinnamon-spiced aroma wafting through the house instantly makes everything feel right with the world. I still remember my grandma pulling batches of these golden-brown beauties out of the oven when I was little – we’d hover around the kitchen counter, waiting impatiently for them to cool just enough so we wouldn’t burn our tongues. Now it’s become my own family’s fall tradition, and honestly? These tender, apple-packed donuts might just be my favorite part of autumn.

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Why You’ll Love These Cozy Apple Cider Donuts

Trust me, these donuts are a game-changer for fall baking. Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite:

• Soft and tender: Every bite melts in your mouth, thanks to the perfect balance of ingredients.
• Easy to make: No fancy skills needed—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
• Packed with flavor: Fresh apple cider and warm spices make these donuts taste like fall in every bite.
• Perfect for the season: They’re cozy, comforting, and just what you need on a chilly autumn morning.

Seriously, once you try these, you’ll be making them all season long.

Ingredients for Cozy Apple Cider Donuts

Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference with these donuts. Here’s what you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (trust me, dark brown adds extra richness)
• 1/2 cup fresh apple cider (the unfiltered, cloudy kind from the farmer’s market works best)
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (cooled slightly)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Quick tip: If you can’t find fresh cider, store-bought works fine – just avoid the super clear, filtered kind. You want that deep apple flavor.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy gadgets to make these cozy apple cider donuts, but a few basics will make your life easier:

• Donut pan: A standard 6-cavity nonstick pan is perfect – trust me, it’s worth the small investment.
• Mixing bowls: Two medium-sized ones – one for dry ingredients, one for wet.
• Whisk: For blending everything smooth without overmixing.
• Optional but helpful: A piping bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped off for neat filling (though a spoon works too in a pinch).

That’s it, Simple tools for seriously delicious results.

How to Make Cozy Apple Cider Donuts

Ready to bake the coziest donuts of the season? Let’s get started. I promise, it’s easier than you think—just follow these simple steps and you’ll have warm, spiced donuts in no time.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grab a medium bowl and whisk together all your dry ingredients—that’s the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk it really well to make sure there are no lumps. You want those spices evenly distributed so every bite is perfectly spiced. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Preparing the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar until they’re well combined. Then, add in the apple cider, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Whisk it all until it’s smooth and creamy. The key here is to mix it just enough to combine—don’t overdo it. Overmixing can make the donuts tough, and we want them soft and tender.

Baking the Donuts

Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together until just combined. A few lumps are okay—better than overmixing. Next, grease your donut pan really well (trust me, you don’t want them sticking). Fill each cavity about 2/3 full. You can use a spoon, but I find a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off makes it super easy and neat.

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. And here’s the hardest part—try to wait a few more minutes before devouring them. Or don’t. I won’t judge.

Tips for Perfect Cozy Apple Cider Donuts

Want bakery-quality donuts every time? Here are my tried-and-true secrets:

• Fresh is best: That unfiltered apple cider from the farmers’ market makes all the difference in flavor. The cloudy stuff packs way more apple punch than the clear, filtered kind.
• Grease like you mean it: Really get into every nook of that donut pan – I use melted butter and a pastry brush to be thorough. Nothing worse than losing half a donut to the pan.
• Watch the clock: At 10 minutes, start checking. These babies go from perfectly tender to dry in a flash. Look for lightly golden edges and a springy touch.
• Dress them up: While warm, roll them in cinnamon sugar for extra coziness, or dust with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed look. My family can’t decide which they love more.

Storage and Reheating

Now, I know these cozy apple cider donuts rarely last long in my house – they tend to disappear while still warm. But if you somehow end up with leftovers, here’s how to keep them tasting fresh:

• Room temp storage: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I like to tuck a slice of bread in there – it helps maintain moisture without making them soggy.
• Quick refresh: A 10-second zap in the microwave brings back that just-baked warmth and softness. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll get tough.
• Freezing: These freeze beautifully, Cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm gently in the oven.

Pro tip: The unfrosted version actually freezes better than glazed ones – something about the sugars in the glaze changes texture when frozen. Learned that the hard way.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re biting into, here’s the skinny on these cozy apple cider donuts (values are per donut):

• Calories: About 180
• Carbs: 32g
• Fat: 4g

Remember – these are estimates. Actual nutrition varies based on your exact ingredients. I like to think the apple cider counts as a fruit serving… but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

FAQ About Cozy Apple Cider Donuts

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your cozy apple cider donuts turned out. Did your kitchen smell like autumn magic? Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. You can also follow us on Facebook for more delicious recipes.

 Find more easy morning ideas in our dessert recipes