Watch our step by step video!
The apple cider flavor comes from making a cider reduction. Sounds fancy, but it isn’t. You’re simply going to boil 1 1/2 cups of apple cider on the stove until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Don’t worry if you leave it on a little too long and it ends up being a little less than 1/2 a cup. You can add a splash of cider to get it back up to what you’ll need for this recipe.
The apple cider donut dough comes together quickly and isn’t going to feel like bread dough. It’s more like sugar cookie dough. Super soft and easy to roll out. You can cut the donuts out using a biscuit cutter, donut cutter, canning lid, or cookie cutters.
Cinnamon and Sugar Version
Once the donuts have had a chance to drain from the fryer, toss the warm donut in cinnamon and sugar.
Buttercream and Caramel Version
Our buttercream and caramel version is divine!
Dip cooled donuts in the buttercream glaze then drizzle with caramel.
I like using the caramel dip found in the produce section of the grocery store. Super easy and it’s the perfect texture without having to heat it up. I also use this dip when I make our Samoas rice krispies treats.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND TIPS
WHAT TEMPERATURE DOES THE OIL NEED TO BE TO DEEP FRY Apple Cider DONUTS?
375 degrees. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil.
WHAT IF MY OIL IS TOO HOT?
Remove from heat until the oil temp on the thermometer reaches 350-375 degrees again.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THE OIL TEMPERATURE WHEN DEEP FRYING DONUTS?
Heat the oil on med-high until it begins to heat up. Once the oil reaches 375 degrees reduce the heat to low.
HOW MANYÂ DONUTS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?
This recipe makes 15 donuts and 15 donut holes.
CAN YOU REHEAT Apple Cider DONUTS?
Reheat day-old donuts in the microwave for about 6 seconds and they will be just like new!
Hot Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- vegetable oil for frying
Cinnamon Sugar Version
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Buttercream Caramel Version
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- caramel dip
Instructions
- Bring apple cider to a boil in a saucepan; cook, stirring occasionally until cider has reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
- Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs, egg yolk, and cooled cider together to flour mixture. Stir remaining 2 1/2 cups flour into mixture until dough is smooth. Refrigerate dough for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large pot or deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Turn dough onto a well-floured work surface using floured hands; pat dough into 1/2-inch thickness. Cut dough into doughnuts using a doughnut cutter or 2 round cookie cutters (1 large and 1 small). Gather scraps and re-pat dough to cut out as many doughnuts as possible.
- Carefully place doughnuts, working in batches, into hot oil; fry until doughnuts rise to the surface and begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Flip doughnuts and continue frying until opposite side is browned for another minute or so.
- Remove doughnuts with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to cool until easily handled, about 1 minute. Bring oil back to 375 degrees F before frying next batch.
Cinnamon Sugar Version
- Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon together in a resealable freezer bag.
- Toss warm doughnuts in the bag of cinnamon-sugar.
Buttercream Caramel Version
- Heat butter and honey in microwave until melted. Stir. Add milk and vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar.
- Dip cooled donuts in buttercream glaze.
- Drizzle in caramel dip.
Nutrition
Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!
Oh wow these donuts look AMAZING!!!!!
I was looking for a place that sells those in the apple orchards around here, but no such luck. I’ll have to give these a try!
Great! I was hoping I wouldn’t have to drink all this apple cider by myself.
This has the taste of fall! I’m drooling, this would go well with my french vanilla coffee right now!
Yum!! Looks great. Pinning for later!!
Welcome Fall! I can hardly wait to make these yummy donuts this weekend. Bring on the hot apple cider too!
Those look so yummy!
These sound amazing, thanks for sharing such a great recipe! x #smallvictoriessundaylinkup
Thanks so much for sharing your Hot Apple Cider Donuts, they look delicious! Hope you will come back to see us at Full Plate Thursday real soon and have a great week!
Miz Helen
I love apple cider donuts. When I am in Vermont, I like to stop by this apple farm where they make them on site. You can see them cooking. I always ask for the hot ones. Thanks for the recipe, I might try them myself.
Bev
These look and sound amazing. Thanks for all the great tips on how to do it. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party Pinned & shared.
I love the combination of the cider and doughnuts! Yum! I will try a baked version of these and see how they turn out. Thanks for sharing!
Pinned!! SOUNDS AMAZING! YUM!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome Apple Cider Donuts with us, they look delicious. Have a great week and hope to see you at Full Plate Thursday again real soon!
Miz Helen
These look great and we have enjoyed apple cider donuts many times at the cider mill. Yum. 🙂
Brandy,
My husband is a donut lover! I told him I wanted to make either an apply or cinnamony type donuts this fall and am happy to find your recipe on “Inspire Me Monday”. Have you tried making these in the oven? Although, I love the taste of fried donuts, I prefer to eliminate unwanted calories when I can. Yeah, I know I’m such a party pooper! Thanks for sharing and feel free to hit the dance floor with me and the Monday’s Music Moves Me gal!
I bought a donut pan about a year ago and love trying new recipes in it. And I love fall flavors, so I look forward to trying this!
Oh yum! We just got a donut baking sheet and looking for good recipes. Bookmarking this to try it!
Love this! Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy – congrats for being one of this week’s Featured Guests!
These sound amazing! Pinning to try. 🙂
I’m interested in the apple cider donut recipe but the link does not go to the recipe. I just thought you’d like to know. The recipe looks great and I think DH would like it
Oh no! I adjust things for SEO earlier in the week and didn’t double check. Thank you!
Yum, I am pinning this great recipe.